To think HR office should be better about breastfeeding mums

[Livingoffcoffee]

I've recently returned to work after mat leave and started at a new company, so don't have an existing relationship with the HR manager.
However, when I accepted the job offer I stated that I would be pumping and need a space to do so. All the meeting rooms in the office are glass, so the only private room is the HR managers office.

Most of the time she lets me use her office (though does make it clear it's an inconvenience for her). But more and more she is emailing me just before our agreed time to say she has meetings all day and her office isn't free. So now I'm sitting in the loos, pumping away.

AIBU to think that she should be better about this? And know that legally they are even required to provide a space for mums who are breastfeeding to lie down and rest if needed?

I don't want to get into a thing with her about it, but just feeling really annoyed that I'm being treated as an inconvenience for her when really she should know and be much more helpful.

I'm the manager and when I return to work I'm hoping pumping whilst sat at my desk (my chair is opposit the door) will deter people from barging in without knocking!

In my last job we only had one open plan office, a meeting room with a glass partition and two unisex loos. So it would have had to have been the loo.

In the job before that there were lots of meeting rooms, some had glass that you couldn't see through but they were always in use and even if you booked it, I'd say there would be a high chance of someone walking in on you. I would imagine most workplaces would find it difficult to provide a private lockable room.

Could you request, as a potential solution, that they order a privacy screen. That way you could use the meeting room, and pump behind the screen? Make a sign for the door too. Would that potentially work for you?

I would imagine most workplaces would find it difficult to provide a private lockable room.

Most workplaces have had years to partition a larger office into two, or to put up blinds, or add a lock, or create a floor to ceiling cubicle. They don’t do this because they don’t prioritise women.

The company are in breach of the law if they are not meeting basic requirements for breastfeeding mothers, I would speak to your union rep immediately. Join a union if you haven't already.

www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

@StatisticallyChallenged
I guess it varies. I find if I cut a hole in a bra and use bf friendly clothes, literally the only bit sticking out is the neck of the flange, and because of the pump mechanics you can't see in, so although it's obvious what you are doing, I show zero tit. Most of the flange is in my bra, held in place. Whereas actual breastfeeding with fomo baby is basically me flashing everyone, and trying not to assault them with milk.

If you find you show a lot of tit, I can see why that would deter you.

There are pumping options which now are just worn in your bra, and virtually silent, so women can literally pump at work, or anywhere. Buy they are very expensive. I'm not suggesting thst women should have to fork out ££ because an employer hasn't sorted this out, but that the option exists for women.

Blinds it a screen are an obvious solution, though as someone who doesn't show any boob whilst pumping. I guess I find that odd as it's more obvious than just using the facilities there are.

Its a bit meh of an office not to have some private space though. Occasionally tough conversations need to take place, and they can't and won't always be done in the hr office.

@WorldEndingFire could you point out with links where are they breaking the law ? as links provided by myself and the OP the law only says we are entitled to a place to lie down and rest, not a place to pump (this is only advisory)

Can I just point out "to rest" does not mean to lie down. Resting is just resting not a mid afternoon snooze!

I show a lot more getting set up and pumping than nursing, really, it's embarrassing enough to do it in front of DH , I'd rather do it in the loo at work than in a glass room in an office. Except that wouldn't work because my manual pump is slow and crap, and my awesome hospital grade double electric doesn't have a battery option.