April 3, 2015, Richmond, VA — Know Your Rights: Breastfeeding At Work And On The Go
Currently, some—but not all—nursing mothers have additional rights to pump breast milk at work. Virginia employees eligible to receive overtime pay (e.g., hourly employees) are covered by the Nursing Mothers Provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Under this provision, Virginia employers must provide nursing mothers with (1) reasonable break time to pump breast milk for a nursing child for one year after the child’s birth; and (2) a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used to pump breast milk. Unfortunately, if you are not eligible to receive overtime (e.g., you are paid the same amount each week no matter how many hours you work), your employer does not have to provide these—or any other—accommodations. Read More