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Starbucks, McDonald's violated new breastfeeding law

A couple of weeks ago, moms across the country organized a day of nurse-ins at their local Targets to assert their rights to breastfeed in public. This week, MSNBC reports that the Department of Labor has cited McDonald's, Starbucks, Dollar General, Dillard's and 19 other companies for violating the "Breaktime for Nursing Mothers" part of the 2011 health care reform legislation, after moms filed complaints.

The "breaktime" law came into effect last March, and requires employers of 50 or more to provide reasonable break time for an employee to express milk for one year after a baby's birth and to provide a private place - NOT a bathroom - to pump. (If passed, the Breastfeeding Promotion Act will extend these rights to many more working moms.)

All the companies who've been cited for violating the new law have agreed to comply, and Dollar General has even offered to pay back wages.

If you think your employer might be in violation of the new "breaktime" law, you can report violations on the department's toll-free helpline at 1-866-487-9243. Check here to find out what "reasonable break time" and "private space" mean.

Has your employer ever given you a hard time about pumping at work? Are you covered by the new law?

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Comment by Chloe's mommy on January 19, 2012 at 8:36am: If anyone ever had a problem with me either pumping at work or breastfeeding in public and requested that I do either in a bathroom I would have a simple response. I'd ask: would you prepare or eat your meals in a bathroom?

Comment by k.oliver on January 18, 2012 at 10:11pm: When I was in the Marine Corps, it was a rule that breastfeeding moms were to have a room to be able to express in that was not the bathroom. I used a vacant office to pump and I put my milk into a refrigerator that only one other person used. I still had to use the bathroom sink to wash out my pump, but I am just glad that I didnt have to pump in the bathroom.

Comment by victoria's mommy on January 17, 2012 at 8:30pm: I feel all this stuff I was working the manager dis not like the fact that the Dr. Let me pump as often as I needed what she did she force me to quit my job by the harassedment she put me through. Sometimes u feel that this law even though it protect us theirs other people who will do something bad to us to leave or quit our jobs.

Comment by NewbieMom2010 on January 17, 2012 at 8:02pm: My company has a medium sized campus and my three-floor building just has one lactation room per floor. It's better than having to pump in a bathroom stall. My employers have always been okay with me taking breaks to pump. I don't take more breaks than usual and I don't take extra long breaks either. Every woman should have the right to breastfeed and/or pump whenever and wherever she is. Babies have to eat! What did women do before formula was made? Breastfeed!

Comment by mama0313 on January 17, 2012 at 3:14pm: TryDryKry's mommy isn't that part of the law that they are to provide a private place to pump? i don't see how it is private if a manager is watching you pump. i would have told them this isn't a show. that is really upsetting i imagine.

Comment by dal001 on January 17, 2012 at 12:26pm: I was truly blessed in this area. Even before the law went into effect, my work place had "mother's rooms" available for all nursing moms on every other floor of the huge corporate campus (4 buildings w/ 8 floors per building). The rooms have special locks (keys only supplied by request), a comfortable recliner, mini-fridge for milk storage, and sink for cleaning pumping parts. I know not all companies, especially small-medium sized ones, can provide that level of privacy/convenience, but I work for the same caliber of company as those cited for violation. There is no reason they couldn't provide "something" to be in compliance. Shame on them!

Comment by TryDryKry's mommy on January 17, 2012 at 12:17pm: I worked through a temp agency for a company for about 4 christmas seasons. But ongoing for the past 2years. I left to have my baby, then went back (even though I wasn't ready) so I wouldn't lose my opportunity to work there again. I got to pump at work in the managers office (with a manager present). When the season ended, i did as well. I feel that I was let go because they didn't like the fact that I was taking up "their" time while I was pumping. They didn't tell me the reason why I was "let go", but it wasn't the same when I returned back. You know how you have a feeling that somethings not right? I felt it everyday I was back at work.

Comment by cassienia on January 17, 2012 at 11:46am: I am lucky to have super supportive, baby-loving, accomodating bosses. (They have even let me bring my little man to work when I didn't have anyone to watch him!) I have my own office, with a door that locks and a window with blinds. I know not all moms are so fortunate, but I hope that employers will respect a mother's right to pump while she is away from her child.

Comment by mama0313 on January 16, 2012 at 3:41pm: i'm a sahm but it makes me mad that those companys must think they're above the law. i would be interested in a full list of the company's bc i'd like to know who deserves my $ and who doesn't.

Comment by Chloe's mommy on January 16, 2012 at 1:01pm: I am actually fortunate enough to have my own office to pump in. I just put a privacy sign on the door. My boss has been great about it. Even offering his office once when mine was being used by someone else.