Preparing to Go Back to Work/Pumping and How to talk to the Boss

[cuddlemama0507]

Hello all.  I am pregnant with my 2nd and due in June.  With DS, I stayed at home and mainly pumped to have an extra supply of breast milk on hand.  This time, I am going to have to go back to work; so, I will be pumping in the office. 

My question is for those who have had to go back to work and are working out a space to pump.  How did you approach your boss?   I live in Atlanta, and my boss in an old-school, conservative, South Georgia, good ole boy.  We get along great, but I'm wondering how I approach the subject with him.  Right now, I'm actually in an office, but we are building out new space, and I may lose my current office.  If I was able to keep it, I would not have to worry about this as much. 

Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

[Owen'nZoe]

I don't have the same situation as you, but I am one of only 3 women working in a whole office of men. I didn't have the staid Southern gentleman issue, but I did get a lot of cow jokes from some juvinile computer programmers. Eh, what're you going to do?

Personally, I let my boss know I'd need little breaks for pumping when I came back, and assured him I'd make up the time. Then I worked with the (female) receptionist to find an open office and get the necessary window coverings. It worked out well.

Is there another woman in the office who can help you with the logistics?

[hildare]

if it were me, this is what i'd do.  (i think in many situations, the 'male boss' gets embarrassed if confronted with these awkward-to-them details...) i'd create a plan, a schedule (when you'll need to pump for how long and where with a backup plan if your office moves) then outline all of that in an email, with the introduction "coming back from maternity leave plan for yourname" and also include possible dates for you to return, what schedule you anticipate etc. 

then at the bottom ask if it sounds acceptable/feasable, etc.  (you of course want to seem as though you're asking for permission)

from what i've noticed supervisors of the male variety HATE to discuss details like that and would rather be given the option to just check this off rather than discuss..  you're giving him that chance to avoid talking about it... :)  good luck!

[cuddlemama0507]

Owen'nZoe - there is an older female in the office who I was actually thinking about going to for a little advice.  She is sort of the mother hen of the whole place, which is nice because it is mostly men around here.

hildare - having a general "coming back to work" plan is a fantastic idea.  I think this would show some itiative in wanting to have things somewhat orderly when I come back and then putting in the pump breaks sort of flows with the plan.

Thanks ladies!

[flightgoddess]

Check the laws in your state regarding this time and how it must be accomadated. For example in MN (where I live) the pumping breaks must be allowed, unpaid, in someplace other than a bathroom, if at all possible. But, I did work for a multi state employer, and they had to follow laws in other states, and my pumping time was a paid break. (Bonus!)

At one office I worked in had a 'Mother's Room' with a lockable door off one of the women's restrooms. Basically a little mini "lounge" where you could go pump in private if you had a cubicle or shared space. If there are other women of child bearing age in the office/new office, this might be a nice perk to build into the plan.

[JudiAU]

First, know your rights under state law. In my state. It might be as simple as alerting HR, if you have have one.

I have a legal right to pump and they must find me a clean, safe place to do so. It is a large company so we have a room, but my locked office is easier. I found it helpful to buy my own personal refrigerator for my office so I didn't have to go back forth and store bm in a shared

If you have a safe clean place to pump like a locked office, I would probably send a simple email detailing that you will you need to take a few short breaks during the day, that you would make up the time (if required your under your state's laws),

If you need some accomodation, (lock installed on office, other location) then come up with a solution and propose it.

[cuddlemama0507]

Thank you all for your thoughts!  It's helped me to get a plan together.

[EnchantedMamma]

Does this new federal deal apply to you?

Also, do you have an HR department? If so, they should be able to have the conversation with you if talking to your boss is uncomfortable.

Good luck. It's a shame any woman has to worry about feeding their child, but for now it's the sad truth.

[texmati]

I also have a very conservative boss-- did not even say the word pregnant the entire 18 mos I was pregnant while working for him. I sent one email during my mat leave informing him I would need a place and breaks to pump. (my job is very flexible, so the major issue was space). I made a few suggestions as to place, he picked a place that would be fine. We never talked about it again. If I needed to take a break, I'd just excuse my self adn let him know when I'd be back at my desk. It was never an issue after that.