US Department of Labor, Minnesota departments of Labor, Health present webinars about required breastfeeding accommodations in the workplace

MINNEAPOLIS –As more working mothers return to the workplace, federal and state agencies are coming together in August to underscore how accommodations for breastfeeding mothers can aid them in that return, in pursing their careers, and in bolstering the workforce.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division in Minnesota is promoting National Breastfeeding Month in August by educating employers and workers about federal guidelines to accommodate breastfeeding in the workplace. For the second year, the division will partner with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry and the Minnesota Department of Health to present two educational webinars to discuss required workplace requirements for breastfeeding families under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s Break Time for Nursing Mothers provision.

“Protections that help balance work and family life have never been more important than they are today, as we emerge from a pandemic and more women return to the workforce,” said Wage and Hour Assistant District Director Kristin Tout, in Minneapolis. “Working with our state partners, we are proud to advance equity in the workplace for working women, who were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. These webinars help essential workers understand their rights, and help employers understand their responsibilities. We encourage everyone to attend, to learn, and to help us improve compliance with these crucial requirements.”

WHO:            U.S. Department of Labor

                      Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

                      Minnesota Department of Health

WHAT:          Nursing Mothers Webinars

WHEN:          Aug. 11, 2021 at 11 a.m. – noon CDT                      

                      Aug. 18, 2021 at 2-3 p.m. CDT

WHERE:       Register for events here

The Wage and Hour Division will discuss federal laws covering expressing breast milk in the workplace and related workplace accommodations, while state health officials will review the process for becoming a breastfeeding-friendly organization and how doing so can help an employer’s bottom line. The state’s Department of Labor and Industry will discuss provisions of state law regarding pregnant employee accommodations, nursing in the workplace and the state’s Women's Economic Security Act.

The events coincide with the August’s National Breastfeeding Month commemoration and World Breastfeeding Week from Aug. 1-7, 2021.

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division.