Employers who provide a supportive environment for breastfeeding employees enjoy many proven benefits including:

• Lower absenteeism
• Lower health care costs
• Better retention of employees
• Higher productivity and company loyalty
• Positive image in the community as a family-friendly business
  

These employers also help improve the economic security and health of mothers, infants and working families.

Reasonable break time and privacy

The Fair Labor Standards Act now requires all employers to provide breastfeeding employees with reasonable break time and a sanitary, private space that is not a bathroom, to pump milk at work for one year after childbirth. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not subject to this requirement if it imposes an undue hardship.

For more information on the new law and breastfeeding support programs, contact Elspeth Durek at (360) 397-8000 ext. 7291 or elspeth.durek@clark.wa.gov.

Get recognized

Employers with policies that support breastfeeding employees are encouraged to apply for recognition from the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington.

• Application (PDF)
• Breastfeeding-friendly employer checklist (PDF)

Clark County is also pleased to recognize local breastfeeding-friendly employers. To add your organization to our list, contact Elspeth Durek at (360) 397-8000 ext. 7291 or elspeth.durek@clark.wa.gov

Resources

• Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington (a WithinReach program) - Materials in English and Spanish for employers to establish a worksite lactation program
  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  - Breastfeeding website - Working while breastfeeding resources
  - Healthier Worksite Initiative - Lactation support program toolkit
  
• Corporate Voices Workplace Lactation Toolkit
  
• National Business Group on Health - Healthcare advice for large employers, including lactation support to employees
  
• US Breastfeeding Committee - Workplace initiatives to support breastfeeding women