The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act): Your Right to Pump at School and Work
In our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, Northwestern recognizes the unique needs of lactating employees. We understand that the process of expressing breast milk can vary from person to person, and we aim to provide resources and guidelines to make this aspect of your work-life balance as seamless as possible. Whether you're a new parent or continuing your breastfeeding journey, we want to ensure that you have the information and accommodations you need for a smooth experience. Your well-being is our priority, and we're here to provide the support and information you need to thrive as a lactating employee at Northwestern.
PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act)
The PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP) Act is a recent federal law that updates the previous federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law. The new act requires employers to provide a reasonable amount of break time and a private space that is not a bathroom for lactating workers (regardless of gender) to express milk for up to one year following the birth of the employee’s child.
For Lactating Employees
- Every individual is different, but pumping can take anywhere from 15-20 minutes plus time to set up and clean breast pump attachments and travel time to and from the available lactation room. On average, an individual may pump 2-3 times daily. Studies show total pumping time tends to average to less than 1 hour per workday.
- Northwestern compensates both exempt and non-exempt staff for the time they are expressing breast milk.
- A “private” space means the lactating employee cannot be visible to or intruded on by others. It should have a place for the employee to sit, a flat surface (other than the floor) on which to place a pump, access to electricity, and access to safe storage of milk, and should be close to a sink. It can be a permanent, flexible, temporary or mobile space. Contact lactation@northwestern.edu for guidance on setting up a lactation space in your area.
- Faculty, staff, and students also have access to dedicated lactation rooms on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses. Requesting access as early as possible, at least 72 hours in advance, is recommended.
- Both the FDA and the CDC note that expressed breast milk is a food and may be stored alongside other foods in any refrigerator appropriate for food storage.
- Individuals breastfeeding an infant in public are exempt from public indecency laws and can breastfeed anywhere in any location, public or private, where the individual is otherwise authorized to be.
For additional consultation, contact your HR Business Partner or the Office of Human Resources.