| Title: | UConn Lactation Policy |
|---|---|
| Policy Owner: | Human Resources and Office of Institutional Equity |
| Applies to: | Employees, Graduate Assistants, Students |
| Campus Applicability: | All Campuses, Including UConn Health |
| Effective Date: | 12/20/2016 |
| For More Information, Contact | Human Resources and Student Health Services/Student Services |
| Contact Information: | Storrs/Regionals: (860) 486-3034 (HR) and (860) 486-0765 (SHS) UConn Health: (860) 679-2426 (HR and (860) 679-1364 (Student Services Center) |
| Official Website: | http://hr.uconn.edu/worklife/ |
Reason for Policy
The purpose of this policy is to provide employees and students who are breastfeeding a private place and reasonable break time to express breast milk for their nursing child. This policy is in accordance with relevant laws and regulations regarding breastfeeding in the workplace.
Applies to
All breastfeeding employees and students on the Storrs, UConn Health and Regional campuses.
Definitions:
Lactation Area: A space on the University of Connecticut campus that is either dedicated or temporarily established to accommodate the needs of those who are breastfeeding. The room must be a clean, private (the ability to be shielded from view and free from intrusion), comfortable space with electrical outlet, chair, table for breast pump, and nearby access to clean running water.
Lactation Breaks: Breaks during the work day for employees who have requested lactation accommodations.
Policy Statement
The University of Connecticut is committed to providing a supportive environment that enables employees and students to express breast milk in a private place, with reasonable break time and in a location within five minutes of their work and study areas.
Consistent with Connecticut Laws (Chapter 939, Section 53-34b and Chapter 814c, Section 46a-64), a person may breastfeed their infant in any public or private location on campus where they and their child are authorized to be. This includes all campus locations open to the public and other campus locations where infants are allowed.
Additionally, Connecticut law (Connecticut General Statutes, Section 31-40w) Breastfeeding in the Workplace states that employers must allow employees to breastfeed or express breast milk at work.
Consistent with federal law, the University of Connecticut shall provide to employee breastfeeding persons reasonable break time (“lactation break”) as well as space that is shielded from view and free from intrusion in order to breastfeed their infants or to express breast milk.
The University of Connecticut prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against breastfeeding persons who exercise their rights under this policy. For more information, see University Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence.
Enforcement
Violations of this policy may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University Policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Policy History
Adopted 12/20/2016 (Approved by President’s Cabinet)
Procedures
Storrs and Regional Campuses: UConn Lactation Procedures
UConn Health: UConn Health Lactation Procedures