Workplace Lactation Program

Over half of employers today offer workplace lactation programs for breastfeeding mothers. Yet, it's no secret that many new moms in hourly positions continue facing barriers to breastfeeding because their workplaces don't offer lactation support or make it accessible to them.

In a July 2008 survey of Working Mother's 100 Best Companies, over one third of employers commented that there are real barriers to implementing lactation programs for hourly workers. Scheduling conflicts, lack of dedicated lactation rooms and limited internal promotion of lactation program benefits to hourly employees were common barriers cited.

Employers offered insight into what could help overcome these barriers. Case studies of how to achieve success with hourly workers, documentation of potential cost savings of breastfeeding support benefits, employee marketing and promotional examples, and education programs for management were the top resources requested by survey participants.

In a separate survey, Working Mother asked hourly working moms why they think companies don't offer breastfeeding benefits. Moms' top answers in part mirrored the barriers employers identified and the solutions they are seeking. Moms said key barriers are: lack of dedicated lactation rooms, lack of management support for workplace lactation programs, and the perceived cost of such programs.

A workplace lactation program is a wise investment; it can lower employer health care costs, reduce absenteeism, and increase employee loyalty and productivity. Opening the door to extend workplace lactation programs to all employees - especially hourly employees - is a challenge that smart companies can overcome.

With support from Abbott Nutrition, Corporate Voices for Working Families and Working Mother Media have teamed up with a select group of employers to develop Workplace Lactation Programs: Good for Working Families, Good for Business. This new initiative offers employers what they need most - marketing ideas, case examples, and materials to extend workplace lactation programs to benefit hourly and low-wage workers. Learn more at http://www.corporatevoices.org/lactation

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