The passage of the PUMP Act last year not only significantly expanded workplace lactation rights, it highlighted just how inhospitable workplaces can be for breastfeeding parents. One of the significant aspects of the new workplace law was the right for employees to sue, and there's been a surge in class action lawsuits for Pump Act non-compliance. And even when employers are trying to comply with the law and support breastfeeding employees, there's confusion over who defines "reasonable" break time or what is a suitable lactation space. What's more, a widespread lack of awareness for what pumping employees need can make it next to impossible for new parents to meet their breastfeeding goals.

There's lots of uncertainty regarding lactation rights

In our most recent survey of 15,000 parents, a concerning 53% were unsure of their workplace lactation rights, and over a quarter felt unsupported at work. This uncertainty underscores the need for clearer communication and understanding of lactation accommodations in the workplace, so that employers and employees can have the critical conversations needed to create inclusive workplaces.