I went back to work around Thanksgiving after DS was born and have been pumping at work since then. I'm now pg so maybe this is all hormonal maybe not.
Since I've been back, it seams like someone complains to HR or HR complains to my manager at least once every week about something involving my pumping. I'm trying to be understanding but...
It used to be how I cleaned the parts, people did not want to see the parts at any time and especially not in the kitchen (OSHA helped me on that one ~ the complainer had called them)
Then it was well you can't leave your pump in the pumping room. Again OSHA said it was my preference since they did not make everyone carry all their belongings around with them at all times.
Next it was you have to wipe out the sink after using it, even though no one else does after pouring coffee down the sink. Talked to a lawyer, he said not to wipe the sink out if i did not want to because it made me feel like my using the sink was wrong (since I was the only one required to do so). He said HR knows they can't ask a single person to clean up differently than anyone else. He says that IF they say anything else about it we can bring a discriminatory case against them. So far HR has said nothing. I did try wiping out the sink for a while but if felt so unfair.
NOW today, by manager says that I'm leaving the lights on too long in the pumping room. I enter the room, turn on the lights, pump, leave to go clean the connector parts, bring the parts back and turn off the light.
Sorry for the rant, I'm not really asking for advice. I have a plan that includes leaving the company as soon as I can after baby 2 is born without paying back any benefits or disability leave pay.
I just wanted to see if anyone else had a similar experience.
For those moms who tough it out and pump in their car, I really don't want your experience if it is going to say just pump in your car because I could never pump in my car and we can't afford to change my car or get a different one. Plus I'm of the opinion, that no one should be forced to pump in their vehicle.
shelbell
08-20-2009, 09:31 AM
:hugs: It's a shame you get crap like that for doing what's best for your baby. Maybe just post a sign on your desk that says, "Thank you for understanding that I'm a pumping mom. Because I'm a pumping mom my baby gets breastmilk that will make him healthier and save our company money on health insurance premiums. Cookies are accepted as a form of thanks!" Or something like that.
LoriT02
08-20-2009, 11:35 AM
:hugs: It's a shame you get crap like that for doing what's best for your baby. Maybe just post a sign on your desk that says, "Thank you for understanding that I'm a pumping mom. Because I'm a pumping mom my baby gets breastmilk that will make him healthier and save our company money on health insurance premiums. Cookies are accepted as a form of thanks!" Or something like that.
I would so love to make that sign, but in real life I know what would happen.
My brother thinks I should file a hostile work environment complaint ~ something like a harassment complaint. I think that would only make it worse since HR is where the hostility is coming from whether directly or indirectly.
I was thinking about putting up some pictures or icons or something to decorate my workspace, but I'm sure they would tell me it is inappropriate for the workspace. They told me not to bring back a BF help book (I was reading it at lunch while I was pg with DS) so i can't image what they would do if I brought in pictures of me feeding DS and put them in little frames on my desk. Actually I can ~ they would most likely call it ****o or at the least nudity.
LaughingPeaMama
08-20-2009, 11:54 AM
OMG i am dealing with issues also...and from a boss that pumped too!!! I do not get scheduled breaks and do not even have a locked room.
I have been walked in on a couple of times even with a do not enter sign and when a complaint was made instead of sticking up for me management threw me under the bus. i work a 12 hour shift and do not get a lunch break because i use my time to go pump and i'm lucky if i get to pump twice so needless to say my supply sucks...oh and someone also took my milk container out to clean the fridge and left it out. i called that person at home and totally went beserk on them....we need to have a law passed that protects our pumping rights!
sh0rtchica
08-20-2009, 11:57 AM
i am ss mama! i can't imagine going through that at work. i guess i'm lucky that no one has ever said anything to me at my office, though we're a tiny office (7 people) so we don't even have HR. i don't have any real advice, just :hugs: good for you for sticking it out and not letting them intimidate you!
sasra_nu
08-20-2009, 12:03 PM
Wow... that is just ridiculous that you have to put up with that. As long as you are sure you're within your rights (and it sounds like you are making sure, since you talked with an attorney) I would do whatever you need to, and to he** with people and their petty complaints.
Honestly, I would make sure to keep a record of every incident or complaint or silly request (ie, wiping out the sink). If it ever comes down to you wanting to file a harassment complaint or something, that will come in handy.
Is there a copy of a state law or something that you can give to your HR so they know you are within your rights?
I'm sorry mama... I hope you can tough it out till you are able to leave.
LoriT02
08-20-2009, 12:20 PM
OMG i am dealing with issues also...and from a boss that pumped too!!! I do not get scheduled breaks and do not even have a locked room.
I have been walked in on a couple of times even with a do not enter sign and when a complaint was made instead of sticking up for me management threw me under the bus. i work a 12 hour shift and do not get a lunch break because i use my time to go pump and i'm lucky if i get to pump twice so needless to say my supply sucks...oh and someone also took my milk container out to clean the fridge and left it out. i called that person at home and totally went beserk on them....we need to have a law passed that protects our pumping rights!
I guess I'm fortunate to get my breaks. It is kind of included in the law but not spelled out entirely. That so far is the one thing that they have not picked on and it is the one thing I thought they would go nuts over.
I also do not get a locked room. I used to block the door with a chair until they took out the spare chair. They told me to use the break room fridge once, and I made up a nice little sign that included a couple of non graphic pictures of breasts that said something like,
____'s BREAST milk for ______
Do not touch
Do not move
Above all do not harm in any way
I then showed my manager the sign and said since there were no rules about what could be on the containers in the break room fridge, I was going to use my sign if I could not bring in a small fridge for me to use. I was never asked to use the break room fridge again. I was also told to get rid of the sign and never bring it back to work as someone might be offended.
kt~mommy
08-21-2009, 12:15 AM
UGH! i cannot believe how ridiculous your place of employment is!!! i would just want to smack them all!! seriously!?!?! and no way would i pump in my car either! i had a friend who pumped in a bathroom stall... come ON employers! get a freaking clue! i need to remind myself how completely lucky i am to be a profession where everyone has their own offices with doors and locks!! i've never ever had issue with someone complaining, but then again, with my office, most people are probably clueless. super huge :hugs: to you right now. you should NOT have to deal with that kind of discrimination and general awfulness :(
MomE2MathU
08-21-2009, 08:31 AM
Wow. I agree that they are bordering on a hostile workplace complaint! Keep with it and hang in there. How childish that people didn't want to see you washing the parts. Seriously people? Don't look if you don't want to see it. You're just washing plastic pieces. What's so wrong with that?
court3189
08-21-2009, 08:43 AM
I'm apalled at your company's and coworker's behavior. I have to ask-what industry/line of business are you in? Do they not understand that your pumping is actually providing them a benefit? If not-maybe you should post some of the literature regarding how companies benefit when Mom's continue to nurse/pump for their babies.
I don't have any advice-sounds like your doing what I would do which is to plan to leave. I wouldn't want to work in such a hostile/unsupportive environment.
That said, I think there are plenty of pumping friendly companies. I've pumped at 4 different companies and received nothing but support and encouragement at all.
So sorry to hear your going threw this!
Edited to add-I have pumped in my car before-my choice, because I found it more relaxing then then the room I had to pump in. It's pretty easy to be discrete. Just wanted to throw out there that pumping in the car isn't always a bad thing.
wobitnobby
08-21-2009, 08:50 PM
That is completely appalling. That they think they can control your reading material on your lunch break, that you don't have a way to lock the door to protect your privacy, that they would continually harass you with a myriad of tiny accusations designed to make you feel dirty... I agree with the previous poster. If you don't feel like going through the (admittedly arduous) process of suing them, please keep detailed notes with evidence of all this, against the eventual day they cross the line!
It looks like you are protected by Indiana law (http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/indiana-breastfeeding-bill-signed-into-law/), which may be what is holding them to these petty actions.
theosmom
08-21-2009, 09:49 PM
I am also curious about what field you are in. Most employees are entitled to 2 15 minute and 1 30 minute break if they work 8 hours, and more if they work longer. How can you get only 1 lunch break in 12 hours? In MN the law states that I am entitled to a private room with a locked door that isn't a bathroom. I still bring my nursing cover, however, is the room I use isn't really locked.
n3w2cl0th
08-23-2009, 07:47 AM
I guess I'm fortunate to get my breaks. It is kind of included in the law but not spelled out entirely. That so far is the one thing that they have not picked on and it is the one thing I thought they would go nuts over.
I also do not get a locked room. I used to block the door with a chair until they took out the spare chair. They told me to use the break room fridge once, and I made up a nice little sign that included a couple of non graphic pictures of breasts that said something like,
____'s BREAST milk for ______
Do not touch
Do not move
Above all do not harm in any way
I then showed my manager the sign and said since there were no rules about what could be on the containers in the break room fridge, I was going to use my sign if I could not bring in a small fridge for me to use. I was never asked to use the break room fridge again. I was also told to get rid of the sign and never bring it back to work as someone might be offended.
If I were you I would call the EEOC....your rights are being violated...you are being made to feel uncomfortable and that is ridiculous... now....my experience is different..with my first I had a boss who was in her late 40s and lived with another woman (platonic) and 13 cats. She had no children and no patience for those of us who did. I ended up quitting pumping at 3 mos because I was so pushed for work performance and slapped around like your being for pumping...with my current job and LO...I DO pump in my car...NOT because I am forced to. I CHOSE to pump in my car because its more private and I enjoy the solitude. I have a car adaptor and I block out my windows and windshield...i get to read and listen to music and make phone calls while Im out there...I know you didnt really want the experience...but I wanted to let you know those of us who pump in our cars may not all do so because we are forced. Also....I do have access to our company fridges for my milk but I chose to keep mine in a cooler with ice packs under my desk. I dont trust anyone. On the ONE or TWO occasions where my ice packs failed, I put my WHOLE cooler in the fridge with a note similar to yours...noone said a word to me...some found it amusing..
What your describing is an almost concerted effort to make you uncomfortable and force you to stop pumping....YOU are being singled out for ridicule and embarresment...I would go to HR and tell them that you will be contacting the EEOC if they dont make accomodations for you. Also..what are the laws in your state...some states dont make provisions for pumping at work...check with you local LLL for more info on your states laws and what you can do to protect your rights....Im sorry your going through this...
precious_caden
08-23-2009, 11:58 AM
Another car pumper here. It's just easier that way since I go to clients homes, and am not in an office. I actually quite like it, and might do it anyway even if I had a place at the office.
Sorry your work is doing that to you. Fight for yourself while you're there, but I am glad to hear you aren't sticking around. I would find it hard to work for someone who didn't support me.
LoriT02
08-24-2009, 06:33 AM
Thank or reading:
To those who asked, I work in consulting on employee benefits (kind of ironic).
I do get breaks and it is the Indiana law that is keeping the complaints to the "small" things.
Deanie
08-24-2009, 11:14 AM
Wow... that is just ridiculous that you have to put up with that. As long as you are sure you're within your rights (and it sounds like you are making sure, since you talked with an attorney) I would do whatever you need to, and to he** with people and their petty complaints.
Honestly, I would make sure to keep a record of every incident or complaint or silly request (ie, wiping out the sink). If it ever comes down to you wanting to file a harassment complaint or something, that will come in handy.
Is there a copy of a state law or something that you can give to your HR so they know you are within your rights?
I'm sorry mama... I hope you can tough it out till you are able to leave.
DEFINITELY!! Include dates and keep a log. Be specific about what happens in each incident. I am no legal expert but have heard of this helping in other kinds of legal cases.
:hugs: It's a shame you get crap like that for doing what's best for your baby. Maybe just post a sign on your desk that says, "Thank you for understanding that I'm a pumping mom. Because I'm a pumping mom my baby gets breastmilk that will make him healthier and save our company money on health insurance premiums. Cookies are accepted as a form of thanks!" Or something like that.
:giggle: :giggle: I agree w/ OP, this will probably cause problems, but it's funny!
OP -- If I were you, I'd just keep track of the complaints and do a little reasearch into your rights (seems like you already have) and put feelers out for different support groups in case you need them (I'm thinking specifically of LLL). then if they push you too far, or if you still want to pursue the matter after you leave the company, you have teh ammunition to do it.
If you are planning to quit relatively soon, legal action or any kind of "fight" would might not be worth it. Do you have ANY support there? A co-worker who is also a mom... Any co-workers who agree w/ you?
However, you could ask your attorney about writing a very polite but firm letter to your manager and HR regarding this whole situation that makes it very clear that you are fed up and don't want any more bs. This might make trouble, but might do the trick. When it comes down to it, what they are doing is illegal. This is probably what I would do, but then again, I come from a family of people who are ready to FIGHT for what is right, sometimes a little too ready. We are irish and red-headed :giggle2:
What kind of an HR person does that company have????
