UK law regarding a space in the Workplace to express breastmilk?

[star6]

I've been searching and can't find official in writing anything about the UK law that states that workplaces need to require a private space for breastfeeding mums returning to work to express breastmilk. Does anyone know off the top of their head where this is/or have it bookmarked already for themselves?

It has been suggested that I do it in the staff toilet
I'm a very private person. I'm a very (nearly ocd) CLEAN person (I know,I know, I'll have to let go when baby comes). But no way I want to express my baby's milk in a toilet! Or... AIBU?

[LivingLaVidaLurker2]

I am not entirely sure that it is law, but there are certainly European directives that cover the protection of breastfeeding mums, including providing a private space (that is not a toilet) for expressing milk.

This website provides some helpful information

working families

It is entirely possible that your company may not be aware of these regulations, especially if they are a small business as employment law changes at a remarkable pace.

[Whizzz]

here you are

"The Workplace Regulations and Approved Code of Practice require employers to provide suitable facilities for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to rest. Where necessary these should include somewhere for the woman to lie down.

HSE recommends that it is good practice, for employers, to provide a private, healthy and safe environment for nursing mothers to express and store milk (but this is not a legal requirement). It is not suitable to use toilets for this purpose."

[ilovemydog]

Not sure there is a specific law about the 'right' to express, but think it's a 'best practice' sort of thing, not to mention health and safety issues. Would you eat in the toilet?

I would post this under breastfeeding as a suggestion.

[Whizzz]

LivingLaVidaLurker2 - this has been around for quite a while

[star6]

thanks everyone!
Thanks ilovemydog - I didn't even think about that!! forgot there was a breastfeeding area on MN.
SO happy to see that line about not being suitable to use toilets for this purpose whizzz. My employers are VERY reasonable people and I can't see this turning into a huge problem. To know there is stuff like this out there in writing is incredibly helpful.
Thanks

[bikerunski]

My NCT teacher covered this recently. It IS law and the area must be private, clean and have a power supply (so you can use an electric pump). They must also provide you somewhere with a fridge to store the milk.

[whoops]

One of my friends had an extra fridge especially to keep her emb in as it is classed as bodily fluids and couldn't be kept in the same fridge as everything else