U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Results in Yuma Medical Center Improving Conditions for Nursing Mothers

PHOENIX, AZ – A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation found that Yuma Regional Medical Center – based in Yuma, Arizona – failed to provide adequate breaks and accommodations for nursing mothers attempting to express breast milk while on the job, violating the Break Time for Nursing Mothers provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The medical center agreed to sign a compliance agreement with the Department requiring the employer to provide training to all their supervisors at all locations, and to provide all employees returning from maternity leave with information on their rights to express milk in the workplace.

WHD investigators determined the employer denied workers breaks to express milk and failed to shield from public view the break room it provided to nursing mothers. Under the FLSA, nursing mothers must be given breaks to express milk and an appropriate location in which to do so privately.

“Employers must understand and abide by their obligations under the law,” said Assistant Wage and Hour Division District Director Patricia Canites, in Sacramento, California. “We offer a wide variety of compliance assistance materials and provide numerous tools to assist employers and to help them avoid violations.”

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available at https://www.dol.gov/whd including a search tool to use if you think you may be owed back wages collected by the Division.