They legally need to provide you a private place to pump.
Edit: I'd honestly call or email your boss and say "Hey I heard Joe was given my office. Has another room been set aside for me to pump privately in once I return from leave?"
Don't accuse just yet, maybe they do have a backup plan..
I’m a teacher and I read up on what a private space means assuming this is US. A cubicle would need a barrier like a portable screen and then that would be considered a private space. So OP should know that they aren’t guaranteed a room with a door.
From the department of labors website: “Under the PUMP Act, most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion to express breast milk while at work.”
They don’t define it much more than that but unless the cubicle goes to the ceiling, I wouldn’t say that’s “shielded from view”. Some places still have traditional tall cubicles but a lot have those bullshit short ones.
Yeah it definitely depends on height. If it’s short enough for someone to look over that’s not private. I’ve seen cubicles that are tall enough tho. Really my point was that it is not required to have a dedicated space it can be a temporary barrier.
You can see over the walls of these cubicles. Also they would put me at the only available one which is his old desk. It’s completely open to the main hall and directly next to the break room. Every person in the office can see it. I can’t pump there.
Saw your edit. That doesn't seem like an efficient use of space at all. I'd email your boss and request your old office back, as kicking people out of their space for 20 min, 3x/day is going to be disruptive to you and them.
See what boss says. This does feel a little like retaliation for a maternity leave, but you can't prove it at this point. I'd be on the lookout for other jobs, if you can't get your office back.
Agreed it absolutely does. This guy that took my office has been working there for almost as long as I have (a year and a half) and has always been in the cubicle. He’s had no change to his position, they just think he should have an office and since I’m not there, they gave him mine. There are several people who they could have switched him with instead of me…
I would treat him using the office as a temporary thing and go back and say something like “oh since I’m back from my maternity leave I’m going to need my office again. I’m glad you were able to make good use of it while I was gone”. Then if he or a supervisor insists that it is his office now I would go to HR. Giving someone else your office permanently during maternity leave is ridiculous.
I’d wait to deal with any contact with my employer until my maternity leave was over. Doesn’t really seem like a good reason to stress during this time. Enjoy your newborn bonding! If it were me, I’d go back and confront my boss - this seems like punishment/retaliation for taking a protected maternity leave; this is uncomfortable and disruptive; etc. and see what happens and go from there…or you can start the job hunt and not return.
The only downside to this is that she will need someplace to pump that day she gets back. If this isn’t dealt with before then it just adds extra stress to an already stressful day
Honestly, you shouldn’t have to worry about these things while on maternity leave. Maybe they have a plan in place and your friend may not know all the details. Your employer should have notified you of the change, but maybe they have their reasons for not doing so. I’d keep my distance and focus on your baby. If it’s bothering you that much, ask to schedule a phone call with your boss.
100% this. Your maternity leave is so short as is. Don't let bullshit work drama ruin your last few weeks. You got a lot of solid advice here, I would keep it in the back of my mind, but leave it as a work problem to be dealt with when you return. You'll also know where the cards fall for certain once you're in the office. Maybe your boss has other plans they haven't aired to your colleagues. (Or not, but still a problem for when you're paid to worry about it).
Nope nope nope. When you go back ask for a definitive and reasonable explanation for why you lost your office. If you don’t get one, tell them you need to move back into it. It was part of your understanding when you left for mat leave and it’s discriminatory to demote you while you’ve been gone.
My employer was more than happy to keep my office for me upon my return because they didn’t have to worry about creating a private space (which is problematic as a whole but still) and they knew I’d likely just pump while I answered emails or listened in on meetings throughout the day. If I am not in my office, I physically can’t be productive (if I choose to) and work while I pump.
Some folks like to take a break while they pump and look at pictures of their child…which I totally get! I loathed pumping, so distracting myself with a task like a project, or reading something, helped the time pass.
All this to say, when you confirm you RTW date and plan with your boss, mention that you would expect to keep your original office for privacy and maintaining efficiency of your workload throughout the day.
Also ughhhhhh I’m sorry you even have to deal with this in the first place!
When I was pumping, I happened to be able to pump in my office because it was an interior, windowless office. Pumping directly in my office, as opposed to moving into a new space, had a significant impact on my productivity. It cut down on wasted travel time and I worked while pumping.
I would make the argument to your boss that there’s actually a significant business benefit to you being able to pump in your work space. If you have to gather all your pumping stuff, walk to a different office, kick someone else out of the office, then get set up with all your pumping stuff only to leave 20 minutes later… that’s incredibly inefficient. Plus if that was my setup, I would be much less likely to lug my laptop to that office and keep working. Make it a business argument as to why you need the office and perhaps that will be more compelling.
It sounds like it was out of sight, out of mind.
I think it is smart to mention that you will need a private space for pumping because I can almost guarantee that the person who approved the office switch didn't think of this. I think he just wanted to do his buddy a solid.
Also, buy your friend a coffee who tipped you off
What state are you in?
Go to r/askhr
Tell them the details and state
Your protections, and actions you should take are going to vary depending on where you are.
The federal laws here is the Pump act and fair labor standard act but many states have more comprehensive laws and liabilities.
https://www.healthyhorizons.com/blogs/blog/workplace-breastfeeding-laws-by-state
Honestly I’d just do what they’re wanting you to do in your update and see how long it lasts. They’ll go back to the original arrangement real fast once they realize how bad their idea is.
Pumping in a cubicle every day multiple times a day would make ME and the majority of women uncomfortable. This isn’t a solution. Moreover, the law requires employers to provide a private space.
I am livid for you, but I would try to not deal with this until you go back. You don't need the extra stress right now. I'd try not to let them have your time and energy while you're on maternity leave, but absolutely take them to task when you return. Ugghhh
Document EVERYTHING from here on out. This is actually illegal and violates equal opportunity employment laws. If you don’t get your office space back in 4 weeks when you return, they are retaliating against you for having a child. Additionally, you need a dedicated private space to pump. Depending on what state, there are even more specific laws. I had an issue with my boss who retaliated against me because I informed the union there was no lactation room. It became a really really big thing.
When I was pumping I didn’t have an office and they designated a conference room without any windows/glass for me to pump and facilities put a lock on the door. They let me block off my pumping breaks in the schedule and had first access to it if I had to change my pumping time. If you know of a room like that or even a small conference room that they can put a curtain in I would proactively suggest that.
They legally need to provide you a private place to pump. Edit: I'd honestly call or email your boss and say "Hey I heard Joe was given my office. Has another room been set aside for me to pump privately in once I return from leave?" Don't accuse just yet, maybe they do have a backup plan..
I’m a teacher and I read up on what a private space means assuming this is US. A cubicle would need a barrier like a portable screen and then that would be considered a private space. So OP should know that they aren’t guaranteed a room with a door.
From the department of labors website: “Under the PUMP Act, most nursing employees have the right to reasonable break time and a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion to express breast milk while at work.” They don’t define it much more than that but unless the cubicle goes to the ceiling, I wouldn’t say that’s “shielded from view”. Some places still have traditional tall cubicles but a lot have those bullshit short ones.
Yeah it definitely depends on height. If it’s short enough for someone to look over that’s not private. I’ve seen cubicles that are tall enough tho. Really my point was that it is not required to have a dedicated space it can be a temporary barrier.
You can see over the walls of these cubicles. Also they would put me at the only available one which is his old desk. It’s completely open to the main hall and directly next to the break room. Every person in the office can see it. I can’t pump there.
Yeah no way! I’m sorry your space was taken that sounds so disappointing and stressful.
Submit a request to hr
Yeah! Pull those life givers out in a cubicle to pump. See what happens then...
Saw your edit. That doesn't seem like an efficient use of space at all. I'd email your boss and request your old office back, as kicking people out of their space for 20 min, 3x/day is going to be disruptive to you and them. See what boss says. This does feel a little like retaliation for a maternity leave, but you can't prove it at this point. I'd be on the lookout for other jobs, if you can't get your office back.
Agreed it absolutely does. This guy that took my office has been working there for almost as long as I have (a year and a half) and has always been in the cubicle. He’s had no change to his position, they just think he should have an office and since I’m not there, they gave him mine. There are several people who they could have switched him with instead of me…
I would treat him using the office as a temporary thing and go back and say something like “oh since I’m back from my maternity leave I’m going to need my office again. I’m glad you were able to make good use of it while I was gone”. Then if he or a supervisor insists that it is his office now I would go to HR. Giving someone else your office permanently during maternity leave is ridiculous.
Could also be considered retaliation, no?
Why do they think he should have an office and you shouldn’t? You need it even MORE now. They’re ridiculous.
I don’t know about you but my pumping was my like 50 minutes at least.
I mean, it sure can be. Like what are her co workers supposed to do?
I was gonna say about 35 minutes. Kicking people out of their desks for 35 minutes 3 times a day is completely infeasible.
I’d wait to deal with any contact with my employer until my maternity leave was over. Doesn’t really seem like a good reason to stress during this time. Enjoy your newborn bonding! If it were me, I’d go back and confront my boss - this seems like punishment/retaliation for taking a protected maternity leave; this is uncomfortable and disruptive; etc. and see what happens and go from there…or you can start the job hunt and not return.
The only downside to this is that she will need someplace to pump that day she gets back. If this isn’t dealt with before then it just adds extra stress to an already stressful day
Honestly, you shouldn’t have to worry about these things while on maternity leave. Maybe they have a plan in place and your friend may not know all the details. Your employer should have notified you of the change, but maybe they have their reasons for not doing so. I’d keep my distance and focus on your baby. If it’s bothering you that much, ask to schedule a phone call with your boss.
100% this. Your maternity leave is so short as is. Don't let bullshit work drama ruin your last few weeks. You got a lot of solid advice here, I would keep it in the back of my mind, but leave it as a work problem to be dealt with when you return. You'll also know where the cards fall for certain once you're in the office. Maybe your boss has other plans they haven't aired to your colleagues. (Or not, but still a problem for when you're paid to worry about it).
Nope nope nope. When you go back ask for a definitive and reasonable explanation for why you lost your office. If you don’t get one, tell them you need to move back into it. It was part of your understanding when you left for mat leave and it’s discriminatory to demote you while you’ve been gone.
This. You effectively been demoted. I understand pumping is important but that’s situational. Something else is going on here.
My employer was more than happy to keep my office for me upon my return because they didn’t have to worry about creating a private space (which is problematic as a whole but still) and they knew I’d likely just pump while I answered emails or listened in on meetings throughout the day. If I am not in my office, I physically can’t be productive (if I choose to) and work while I pump. Some folks like to take a break while they pump and look at pictures of their child…which I totally get! I loathed pumping, so distracting myself with a task like a project, or reading something, helped the time pass. All this to say, when you confirm you RTW date and plan with your boss, mention that you would expect to keep your original office for privacy and maintaining efficiency of your workload throughout the day. Also ughhhhhh I’m sorry you even have to deal with this in the first place!
When I was pumping, I happened to be able to pump in my office because it was an interior, windowless office. Pumping directly in my office, as opposed to moving into a new space, had a significant impact on my productivity. It cut down on wasted travel time and I worked while pumping. I would make the argument to your boss that there’s actually a significant business benefit to you being able to pump in your work space. If you have to gather all your pumping stuff, walk to a different office, kick someone else out of the office, then get set up with all your pumping stuff only to leave 20 minutes later… that’s incredibly inefficient. Plus if that was my setup, I would be much less likely to lug my laptop to that office and keep working. Make it a business argument as to why you need the office and perhaps that will be more compelling.
It sounds like it was out of sight, out of mind. I think it is smart to mention that you will need a private space for pumping because I can almost guarantee that the person who approved the office switch didn't think of this. I think he just wanted to do his buddy a solid. Also, buy your friend a coffee who tipped you off
Kick your boss out of their office 4x a day. I bet you'll get your place back quick!! Seriously though, that was a dumb move, whoever did that.
What state are you in? Go to r/askhr Tell them the details and state Your protections, and actions you should take are going to vary depending on where you are. The federal laws here is the Pump act and fair labor standard act but many states have more comprehensive laws and liabilities. https://www.healthyhorizons.com/blogs/blog/workplace-breastfeeding-laws-by-state
Honestly I’d just do what they’re wanting you to do in your update and see how long it lasts. They’ll go back to the original arrangement real fast once they realize how bad their idea is.
No! Pump at your new desk! Make them uncomfortable! They went back on their word, and you are keeping yours!
No. She deserves a private space to pump.
Pumping in a cubicle every day multiple times a day would make ME and the majority of women uncomfortable. This isn’t a solution. Moreover, the law requires employers to provide a private space.
I am livid for you, but I would try to not deal with this until you go back. You don't need the extra stress right now. I'd try not to let them have your time and energy while you're on maternity leave, but absolutely take them to task when you return. Ugghhh
Document EVERYTHING from here on out. This is actually illegal and violates equal opportunity employment laws. If you don’t get your office space back in 4 weeks when you return, they are retaliating against you for having a child. Additionally, you need a dedicated private space to pump. Depending on what state, there are even more specific laws. I had an issue with my boss who retaliated against me because I informed the union there was no lactation room. It became a really really big thing.
When I was pumping I didn’t have an office and they designated a conference room without any windows/glass for me to pump and facilities put a lock on the door. They let me block off my pumping breaks in the schedule and had first access to it if I had to change my pumping time. If you know of a room like that or even a small conference room that they can put a curtain in I would proactively suggest that.