Pumping at Work

Kudos to two Philadelphia lawmakers who are putting forth legislation mandating companies to provide breaktime and accomodations for new moms who want to pump at work.  We need more of this progressive thinking.

When I returned to work after my first child I was determined to pump.  I had a tiny (6ft by 6ft) office.  I'd close the door, pump in hand, my left foot jammed up against the door (it didn't have a lock), and pray no one came in.  My workplace didn't have designated accomodations for moms to pump.  Nor did it specifically allow breaks for that activity.  Sadly, 13 years later, not much has changed. 

All too often I read articles where a new mom was pumping in a less-than-opportune place (because her workplace doesn't have a room for that), and someone walks in on her.

I've also read articles where new moms are afraid to be away from their desks to pump for fear of losing their jobs!  Especially in a recession.  Men will never even be put in such a bind!  (not by any fault of theirs, they simply can't relate). 

Enough is enough.  Women needs to band together and push their lawmakers to do what those two in Philadelphia are doing.  Start locally, end nationally.  I've said before, and I'll say it again, women are a powerful voting bloc.  Lawmakers need us if they want to get re-elected.  So let's do it.