LACTATION ACCOMMODATION

All Employees who are nursing mothers may take reasonable rest periods to express breast milk for their child. Eligible Employees have a right to request a lactation accommodation and must notify their Supervisor in writing of the anticipated need for lactation periods, or any other requested lactation accommodation, within a reasonable time in advance of initiating lactation periods. If the University cannot provide lactation periods or a location consistent with this Policy, it will provide a written response to any such request.

The University will also make reasonable efforts to provide a safe, clean room or other location, shielded from view and free from intrusion, near the Employee’s work area, other than a bathroom, where the Employee can express milk in privacy, including a place to sit, access to electricity, and a surface for lactation-related items. The room may be a multi-purpose room if it satisfies the requirements for space; however, using the room for lactation takes priority over other uses, for the time it is in use for lactation purposes. Employees will be provided access to clean water sources for washing hands and lactation equipment, as well as hygienic storage alternatives for breast milk. Please contact your Supervisor for information about the designated location for expressing breast milk.

To the extent possible, lactation periods should run concurrently with regularly scheduled rest periods already provided to the Employee. Lactation periods taken beyond a Non-Exempt Employee’s regular rest periods will be unpaid. Non-Exempt Employees must record the start and end of unpaid lactation periods in accordance with the University’s timekeeping policy.

Exempt Employees will be provided with paid lactation periods, consistent with state and federal requirements.

The University expressly prohibits any form of discrimination or retaliation against any Employee requesting or taking lactation periods, or making a complaint about violations of this Policy or applicable law. Employees who are subjected to any conduct that violates this Policy should immediately contact Supervisor. Employees may file a complaint with the California Labor Commissioner for any failure to provide lactation periods or an appropriate location to express milk, or any other violation of applicable law.