What you need to know about your right to breastfeed while at work
Although you are returning to work, you may want to continue breastfeeding or to be able to express milk for your infant while at work.
Nowadays this is something working parents can do. This is how it works.
Can I breastfeed at work?
Yes - your employer is required, as far as is reasonable and practicable, to provide appropriate breaks and facilities so that you can breastfeed or express while at work or during work time.
In most cases, you’ll simply be provided with a private space, chair and access to a refrigerator. These will probably be on site. However, employers can also pool their facilities. So if you’re working in a shopping centre for example, your parent’s room may be shared with other tenants.
Your breaks will be unpaid unless you and your employer agree otherwise and are in addition to standard rest and meal breaks.
What about my privacy?
Although your employer may not always be able to provide a dedicated room for breastfeeding, you have a right to expect your privacy to be respected.
What rest and meal breaks do I get?
You’re entitled to the following paid rest breaks and unpaid meal breaks:
- one paid 10-minute rest break if your work period is between two and four hours;
- one paid 10-minute rest break and one unpaid 30-minute meal break if your work period is between four and six hours;
- two paid 10-minute rest breaks and one unpaid 30-minute meal break if your work period is between six and eight hours.
If more than an eight hour period is worked, these requirements automatically extend to cover the additional hours on the same basis.
You and your employer can agree to the timing of breaks. When agreement cannot be reached, the breaks must be spread evenly throughout the work period where reasonable and practicable.
Can I breastfeed during rest and meal breaks?
Yes. You can breastfeed during rest and meal breaks if your employer agrees.
For further information on rest and meal breaks visit:
http://ers.govt.nz/relationships/breaks.html
For further information on infant feeding visit:
http://ers.govt.nz/parentalleave/infantfeeding.html
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This page was last updated on:
22-Jul-2009
and is current.
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