Can Employees Express Or Pump Breast Milk At Work?

California requires that employers provide employees a reasonable amount of break time for expressing or pumping breast milk.  These breaks are supposed to be during employees regular rest breaks or rest periods if possible.  If the break time for expressing or pumping breast milk goes outside of the regularly required paid rest breaks or rest periods, then the breaks need not be paid.  However employers are not required to provide these breaks if the breaks would seriously disrupt the employers’ operations. 

Employers also have to make reasonable efforts to provide employees with a private location, other than a toilet stall, to express milk. 

Finally, employers cannot retaliate against employees for requesting or using these reasonable accommodations for breast milk expressing or pumping. 

(See Link(s): Labor Code Sections 98.6, 1030, 1031, 1032 and 1033)