Employees who breastfeed at work should be supported and treated with dignity and respect.
Breastfeeding: For the purpose of this policy, breastfeeding also includes expressing milk.
Lactation breaks: Breaks taken by mothers to express breastmilk or to breastfeed their baby.
Draft letters requesting lactation breaks
Members can use the following letters when requesting lactation breaks from their employer. Copy and paste the text, and modify as needed.
Schools Read more
<date>
Dear <name of principal>
I’m writing to advise that I will need to access lactation breaks when I return next term/year (choose whichever applies).
I anticipate I will need two 30 minute breaks each day. I propose taking these breaks adjacent to and during recess at 11am and at the end of the teaching day at 3:30pm. I have done my best to schedule these with as little disruption to the school’s program as possible.
I may also need to leave the school premises during this time.
As you know, I have a long-term commitment to the school and will only be needing this extra assistance for a limited time.
I look forward to discussing these arrangements with you, including access to the school’s suitable facilities, at a mutually convenient time.
Regards,
<your name>
TAFE, Disability and Early Childhood Read more
Dear <name of manager>
I am writing to request access to unpaid lactation breaks when I return to the workplace next term/year (choose whichever applies).
I understand that you have the discretion to provide me with a suitable room, and approve reasonable and appropriate breaks to breastfeed or express milk.
I am seeking your support for me to access these breaks at 11am and 3:30pm for around 30 minutes each time. I have done my best to schedule these to cause least disruption to our educational program/instruction time.
I understand that I can seek a temporary adjustment to the requirements of my position, and I would like to request this flexibility for the term.
As you know, I have a long-term commitment to <your workplace> and will only be needing this extra assistance for a limited period.
I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss these arrangements.
Regards,
<your name>
Breastfeeding: your rights at work
Employers should foster a supportive work environment for breastfeeding employees by:
- providing suitable areas for employees to express breast milk or to breastfeed
- providing lactation breaks during work hours
- supporting flexible work options
- ensuring that all employees are aware of breastfeeding policies and rooms
- seeking to eliminate unlawful direct and/or indirect discrimination against breastfeeding mothers.
Where possible, employees should notify their employer of their breastfeeding requirements before returning to work – ideally during parental leave – as this gives both parties plenty of time to decide on mutually suitable arrangements.
Lactation breaks
Lactation breaks are to be made available during work hours and should be negotiated with the employer to allow flexibility. In schools, the AEU won the right for employees to take reasonable paid time, not exceeding one hour in total per day. These paid lactation breaks are in addition to the lunch break.
For Early Childhood and TAP, where possible, lactation breaks are to be provided as time off without debit. The AEU and its members continue to campaign for paid lactation breaks in these sectors to make sure that breastfeeding mothers are not disadvantaged.
Frequency, duration, and timing of lactation breaks need to be negotiated. They will vary between individuals and be influenced by other factors, including the child’s age, feeding habits, the location of the breastfeeding room, and any special requirements.
In general, the needs of a breastfeeding employee are minimal and short-lived. In other words, the need for lactation breaks normally reduce over time and become easier to schedule around operational needs.
Lactation breaks may temporarily require:
- non-attendance at meetings
- exemption from non-scheduled duties.
What is a suitable breastfeeding area?
The employee should be provided access to suitable facilities to facilitate breastfeeding or expressing of milk.
Suitable facilities may include a private lactation space with a lockable door and power point, a comfortable chair and a small low table plus access to a refrigerator to store breastmilk. The employee may return home or attend another location during the break as agreed.
Where rooms suitable for breastfeeding are not available at work, the employee and employer should agree on a suitable alternative.
Storing breastmilk: what are the protocols?
In some cases, it is acceptable to use sinks and refrigeration located elsewhere in the workplace.
Sinks for rinsing breast-pumps must meet the standard for food preparation, i.e. not located a toilet. However, handwashing can occur in a bathroom area.
Existing fridges in an appropriate area, such as a staffroom, can be used if a fridge cannot be placed in the breastfeeding room. If using a communal fridge, it is recommended that named and dated milk collection containers be placed in a separate, opaque, labelled and lidded container such as a lunchbox.
This helps to protect the expressed milk from being knocked over and/or mixed up with the other fridge contents. Containers containing breastmilk must be clearly labelled with name and date to avoid mix-ups and ensure optimal storage conditions.
Need more support?
Breastfeeding employees may choose to seek further assistance in relation to breastfeeding and returning to work by contacting a breastfeeding counsellor from the Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline on 1800 686 268. Email counselling is also available.
For more detailed advice about your rights and entitlements, contact the AEU Member Support Centre.
This is part of a larger resource for AEU members providing advice on all aspects of Parental Leave.