One small step for "motherkind"
by Kate Kahn - 20th September 2007
New York recently joined a list of other states enacting a law that requires employers to protect the right of a mother to pump her breast milk at work. Employers (regardless of their size) must provide workers with reasonable break time, or let them use paid break time or meal time, to express milk for their nursing child up to three years following the birth of that child. The law also mandates employers to make reasonable efforts to provide a room, or other location in close proximity to where the person works, so that breastfeeding employees can pump in privacy.
On the surface I want to scream "Yay! it's about time!" And I am happy about it. It's a step in the right direction for sure. But it's one small step. What worries me is how employers will interpret what constitutes "reasonable time", "reasonable efforts", "close proximity" and "privacy" when it comes to giving moms time and a comfortable place to pump.
Without more specific definition these laws are just words that might make lawmakes feel politically correct. They need to define things more. If they're going to talk the talk, let's see them walk the walk.
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