Pumping rights at work

[Halfasianmomma]

Mods please excuse me if this isn't posted in the right place.

I'm looking for information with regards to the right I have to have time/space to pump milk while at work. I'm starting a new job tomorrow working for a young labor law lawyer, and I'm a bit iffy about where I stand legally with regards to pumping. My DD is 10 months and still take a 5 oz. sippy of EBM at daycare; I'd like to pump at least once at work, if only to keep my supply up since I'll be away from DD from 7h30 to 17h30.

So, does anyone know if, like in the US, working moms have a legal right to have a dedicated space and a set amount of time to pump?

TIA!

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by Halfasianmomma

So, does anyone know if, like in the US, working moms have a legal right to have a dedicated space and a set amount of time to pump?

Depends where you live.
I'm no expert but a bit of quick research found that Human Rights Codes in Ontario and B.C. both protect the right to express milk at work – as well as protecting direct breastfeeding.
But it doesn't seem to be available in other provinces – at least according to Infact Canada's page about the human rights of breastfeeding here: http://www.infactcanada.ca/humright.htm
Frankly, I've never heard Canadian women complain about the lack of pumping time or facilities but then again most women take a year of maternity leave and most people wean by age 1.
I think your best argument might be that preventing you from pumping is sex discrimination under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Quebec Human Rights Code.
I'd also contact the Quebec Human Rights Commission to see if there has been any precedent on this issue – and you can make a complaint there if you are refused.
That said, I think it's always better to explain what you need as if it's the most reasonable thing in the world – it is! – before invoking the threat a discrimination suit, especially with a lawyer!

[SophieAnn]

Here is some information I have found and bookmarked. It is published by the Peel Region so the legal aspects are applicable to Ontario.

Returning to Work: Breastfeeding & The Law
http://www.peelregion.ca/health/work...2007/oct07.htm

It is the Ontario Human Rights Commission that protects us in Ontario, but there should be something in Quebec too. This will give you an idea of what rights are protected. In Ontario, basically they have to provide you the time, not necessarily the space. It is recommended that a bathroom is not an appropriate space, but I haven't found anything that requires them to provide a space.

Quebec-info anyone?