Understanding your rights as a breastfeeding mother is crucial, as both federal and state laws provide protections to ensure you can express milk at work without interference. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Section 7(r), employers are mandated to offer reasonable break times for nursing mothers for up to one year after their child's birth. These breaks should occur whenever the mother needs to express milk, and the employer must provide a private space, not a bathroom, shielded from view and free from coworkers' and the public's intrusion.
In addition to federal law, Wisconsin state law reinforces these protections. According to Wisconsin Public Breastfeeding Law Section 1. 253.16, a mother has the right to breastfeed her child in any public or private location where she is authorized to be. No one can restrict her from breastfeeding, ask her to move to another location, or require her to cover up while breastfeeding.
The Ho-Chunk Nation also supports breastfeeding employees through its Employee Relations Act and specific policies outlined in Chapter III, 17. N. This includes a dedicated lactation support program managed by the Ho-Chunk Nation Maternal Child Health Program within the Community Health Nursing Program. These provisions are communicated to all employees, ensuring awareness and support for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.
These laws and policies collectively aim to create a supportive environment for breastfeeding mothers, promoting both their health and the well-being of their infants. By understanding and asserting these rights, mothers can confidently navigate their work environments while continuing to provide essential care for their children.
