Lactation Room Resources
In support of new parents and in compliance with employer required amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), Boise State University has several private lactation break rooms dedicated for nursing parents across campus. The rooms are available by reservation only for faculty, staff and student use and are designed to provide needed privacy to express breast milk.
University Lactation Building Locations
To locate a lactation building on campus select this link
University Lactation Room Reservation
Here is a current list of the available lactation rooms along with the contact names and phone numbers for questions. No need to reserve a room. All rooms can be locked from the inside for privacy.
Guidance
This federal provision allows new parents “reasonable break times” to express milk during the workday for up to one year after a child’s birth. The Department of Labor explains that it typically takes 15 to 20 minutes every two to four hours to express milk. However, in determining whether the length of break time provided to an employee is “reasonable,” the Department of Labor (DOL) has indicated that it will consider additional factors to the amount of time necessary to express milk which includes:
- Walking time to and from the lactation space.
- Retrieving a pump and supplies from a separate location, such as a locker.
- Unpacking and setting up a pump.
- Cleaning area proximity for washing hands, pump and attachments..
- Storing expressed milk and proximity to a refrigerator or personal cooler.
The DOL advises managers to consider these factors when determining the length of break that is “reasonable” under the statute.
Beyond the new legal requirement, there are practical reasons for accommodating new parents who are breastfeeding. New parents who cannot express milk at work are faced with the difficult choice of not breastfeeding, taking longer leaves, or even quitting their job. Therefore, accommodations help the transition back to work easier and improve retention rates.
Questions
For questions, contact Human Resource at hrs@boisestate.edu or (208) 426-1616.