Right to Express Breast Milk in the Workplace Policy

Policy Category	Issuing Authority	Responsibility	Publication Date	Next Review Date
Human Resources	Administration & Finance	Human Resources	6/6/2023	6/6/2026

Policy Statement & Background:

Stony Brook University supports the rights of nursing employees to reasonable break time and a private space to express breast milk on campus. The University has adopted the following policy in accordance with New York State Labor Law Section 206-c and guidelines from the New York State Department of Labor.

Policy:

Upon request, the University will provide reasonable unpaid break time or permit an employee to use paid break time or mealtime in order to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to three years following childbirth. The University shall make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location for the purpose of expressing breast milk. Such a room or other location shall be a place that is: 1) in close proximity to the work area; 2) well lit; 3) shielded from view; & 4) free from intrusion from other persons in the workplace or the public. Such room or other location shall provide, at minimum, the following:

a chair;
a working surface (e.g.: small table, desk, counter, or other flat surface);
nearby access to clean running water; &
an electrical outlet (if the workplace is supplied with electricity).

The University prohibits discrimination in any way against an employee who chooses to express breast milk in the workplace. Retaliation against an employee who chooses to express breast milk in the workplace is also prohibited.

Designated Lactation Locations & Access

For employees who wish to use designated lactation rooms that are available across campus, more information is available here: https://www.stonybrook.edu/healthieru/lactation. Employees may also work with their supervisors as necessary to identify other suitable location options.

Definitions:

Close Proximity: the room or location must be within walking distance, and the distance to the location should not appreciably lengthen the break time.

Private: a room or other location that is not open to other individuals, whether as employees, customers, or other members of the public.

Reasonable Efforts: requires that the room or other location must be provided for use by employees expressing breast milk so long as it is neither significantly impracticable, inconvenient, or expensive to the employer to do so.

Reasonable Unpaid Break Time: is sufficient time to allow the employee to express breast milk. Each break shall generally be no less than twenty minutes.

Contact:

Additional information about this policy is available here:

Human Resources:
West Campus, Health Sciences, and School of Medicine
390 Administration Building

Stony Brook, NY 11794

(631) 632-6161

hrs_info@stonybrook.edu

Stony Brook University Hospital

31 Research Way, Suite 200

East Setauket, NY 11733

(631) 444-4700

Long Island State Veterans Home (LISVH)
100 Patriots Road

Stony Brook, NY 11790
(631) 444-8617