Work policy on pumping

[AnotherBlanketPlease]

I am expecting my first child and recently informed my manager, she congratulated me and said she was a mother to 2 herself then we went through the risk assessment form. One of the things she read out was "Any pumping or expressing milk must be done in the toilets"
(A little background on our work toilets, they are small, dirty, the lights flicker, one doesn't flush, the other toilet seat is barely attached and wobbles, there is no space for bottles/pumps let alone a hygienic space)
As she read this out I could not hide the "Really?!?" Reaction to which she rolled her eyes and replied "I know right... You would of thought that would of been common knowledge"
I left it at that and we finished the form and moved on.
AIBU to think expecting mothers or breast feeding mothers should be able to express milk in the common room or break room or even be allowed to use an empty office space if they really can't have it in a public area. Just not a smelly, dirty, run down toilet?

[StinkySaurus]

I think by law they have to offer you a room which isn’t the toilets. Commonly this maybe a meeting room you can book for when you need it. So you should definitely challenge this if you need to pump on your return

[MaisyPops]

A toilet isn't an acceptable space to pump. I'd be pushing on that one.

In most places I've been, staff have been able to use a meeting room or have access to someone's office (school so staff room and classroom doesn't really work).

[TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup]

Regardless of company policy there are laws. Check them then tell your company to sort it out.

[Doyoumind]

The law stares they have to provide somewhere suitable. The toilet isn't suitable therefore you don't have to do it there.

[doricgirl]

Check the Maternity Action website - I’m pretty sure they have to provide a private hygienic space by law - there’s no way I’d express in a toilet totally unhygienic!

[Bestseller]

This is in a written policy? I'm not sure I believe that. I believe that some managers might misguided ly suggest it but to write it in a policy?

[SheRaTheAllPowerful]

God that’s awful, have you seen the new Elvie pump that is wireless, apparently silent and you can wear in your bra? I’ve not used them, new since I had my babies but I’d be interested to know if they’re good.

[thegreylady]

Off the point but where I grew up ‘pumping’ was the vernacular for farting!

[WhoGivesADamnForAFlakeyBandit]

How would that even work with an electric pump? Amyway toilets not allowed- www.nhs.uk/Planners/breastfeeding/Documents/breastfeedingandwork%5B1%5D.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiOqI-0uPTdAhWaF8AKHXh-Cb8QFjACegQIABAB&usg=AOvVaw1X58IEMEIqZBPy8UUGbqLR

[Flobalob]

I would ask the bosses if they prepare their food in the toilet. If not, then you're not prepared to prepare your baby's food in the toilet.

I used the medical room at my work.

[katmarie]

My company gave me a small lockable kitchen with a seat, a fridge, plenty of power sockets and a microwave and kettle, so I could warm up some lunch or have a cup of tea, while I pump. It's the hr kitchen most of the time, but when it's locked with a do not disturb sign on the door, people use the main kitchen down the corridor. It works really well for me, although I'm the only person in our company using it to pump at the moment.

[AnotherBlanketPlease]

Thank you all I thought I had a right to be miffed. I think it came as more of a shock because most of the time the company is very caring for their employers and pride themselves on being inclusive with great benefits like paid maternity leave/paid time of for scans and appointments/paid extra breaks whenever you need them but apparently prepping a babies meal is one step too far into their niceness

[DonnaDarko]

The policy was probably written by a man, about 20 years ago. I would just take the evidence from this thread and present it to your manager and HR. They will need to re-write the policy.

[coconutpie]

YANBU. A toilet is not an acceptable place to prepare any sort of food. Inform your manager that they will need to provide you with an appropriate room with a lockable door.

[WomblesAreCommon]

“paid time of for scans“

I think this is actually required by law, not a nice perk?

[Doyoumind]

I don't think they are that great. They legally have to let you have paid time off for appointments so they aren't doing it out of kindness.

[mumsastudent]

m.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/b/s/Acas-guide-on-accommodating-breastfeeding-in-the-workplace.pdf -so this is from ACAS

[QueenArseClangers]

As an aside, your antenatal appointments (including scans) should be paid time off legally anyway. They aren’t doing you a favour by following the law.

[WhoLetTheCatsOut]

As other have said, theyre legallly required to provide you with somewhere to pump that isn't the toilet. They also have to let you have time off for scans and I would go so far as to say that extra breaks when needed could also fall under the risk assessment aspect.

[TheDarkPassenger]

Genuinely thought this was gunna be about farting 🤣