Having Issues with pumping at work

Hey everyone..I have been having issues trying to pump at work. I have been trying to pump on my 30 minute lunch break and sometimes I have been running past 30 minutes. We have one room for whole hospital and sometimes room is taken by other moms. When I try to explain this to my charge nurse yesterday, she stated "that I ONLY have my 30 minute lunch break and it is not her problem and if I don't have a room to pump at lunch then I can't pump. If you are more than one minute late past lunch then I will be wrote up and sent home early on suspension." I am a hard working employee and I don't know what to do. I do not want to be wrote up or suspended..can she do this? Just venting and need advice. We have no actual state law here in FL just federal law. Please help.
Who is directly in charge of her?. Go through your chain of command and discuss rationally. Perhaps come up with an alternative like staying over or coming in early. If they see you are attempting to work with the system it will oh easier for you.

http://www.usbreastfeeding.org/Emplo...5/Default.aspxYour CN is in the wrong. You get a "reasonable" amount of time. There is a link to where you can file a complaint. Let us know how it turns out. If following chain of command doesn't work out.

From the wonderful link that Hope posted (thank you!) is this very pertinent part of the law:How often can you pump during the workday? The "Break Time for Nursing Mothers" law requires employers to provide time and space "each time such employee has need to express the milk." If the space is not available when you need it, your employer is not meeting the requirements of the law.A breastfeeding mother must pump her milk as often as the baby usually eats. During the early months of your baby's life you will probably need to pump your milk every 2-3 hours during the workday.Because a baby's feeding schedule changes over time, your pumping schedule will probably change too. Once your baby begins eating solid foods, you may be able to pump less often.

That's stinks. I know it's harder to pump when you are watching the clock and trying to eat you lunch, lol!! My place of work gave me an extra 15 mins on my lunch break. Have you spoken with your manager? Nurse leaders at your institution? I would go in person and try and speak with nurse leadership about adding an employee-only breast pump or at least an additional one in the hospital. In the meantime, fight for extra time on your lunch break. You deserve to be able to breast feed your baby the way you choose and should be pumping every few hours to maintain your supply. Good luck!

Here is the info on who you should contact. I would first, though, go over your charge nurse's head and talk with HER direct supervisor.The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) says that if your employer refuses to comply with the law, you can file a complaint by calling the toll-free WHD number 1-800-487-9243. You will then be directed to your nearest WHD office for assistance. Have this information handy to file your complaint:Your nameYour address and phone numberThe name of the company where you work(ed)Location of the companyCompany phone numberManager or owners nameThe type of work you didHow and when you were paidThe date of birth of your nursing childA description of your concern (what part of the law did the employer fail to meet?)

Wow - what a can of worms! I had no idea that there was still such a level of ignorance out there (lack of support for nursing moms). Just another indication of lack of management education. I work for a faith-based organization - very clear policy on this issue. Even in our corporate offices, each employee 'break area' has a private room with fridge, chairs, etc. to support pumping moms. Information/education is provided to employees at the time they apply for maternity leave.

Quote from HouTxWow - what a can of worms! I had no idea that there was still such a level of ignorance out there (lack of support for nursing moms). Just another indication of lack of management education. I work for a faith-based organization - very clear policy on this issue. Even in our corporate offices, each employee 'break area' has a private room with fridge, chairs, etc. to support pumping moms. Information/education is provided to employees at the time they apply for maternity leave.

Can't you go to an empty patient room and close the door? That is what many of the nurses do here.To those that are encouraging her to filing a formal complaint...let's be honest..you have to be careful with that. When you cause trouble for the facility, you can set a timer on your job.

I don't have anything helpful to add, but I just wanted to say that I am so, so sorry this is happening to you. *Hugs* The state of breastfeeding and the workplace is at such a tragic state in our country.

Yeah, I'd most definitely go above the charge nurse. Check your state laws and also see if your hospital has any specific policies. I was able to breastfeed for a whole year because my unit was very supportive.