Employers: Listen Up!
March 6, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism, law, nursing in public, pumping
The Detroit News ran an article “Is Your Workplace New-Mom Friendly?” by Jennifer Youssef on March 5, 2007. Youssef describes how many employers strive to accommodate new mothers by providing amenities such as lactation rooms where women can breastfeed or pump breast milk in private.
They say providing such benefits are as much bottom-line decisions as altruistic ones: They help retain good employees and maintain a happier, less-stressed workforce that’s more productive and creative.
When the Southfield branch of Meadowbrook Insurance Group constructed its new building two years ago, the company put in two lactation rooms equipped with couches and comfortable chairs for new mothers to pump their milk in privacy and store the bottles of milk in the refrigerator. . . .
“In order for us to retain quality people who already have a proven track record, we need to help them balance their work and personal lives,” said Sue Cubbin, vice president of human resources. “It’s a win-win. We’ll have a more focused employee.”
It means so much more coming from an employer than from me. I lamented the lack of employer support when legislation protecting mothers in the workplace failed to pass in Wyoming (a watered-down version of the bill passed to exempt breastfeeding from the indecent exposure law). There’s still hope for a bill pending in the Oregon legislature. I hope Oregon businesses are listening up and learning the benefits of supporting breastfeeding mothers!
