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BRIEF

Policy Summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to promoting a family-friendly work environment by providing supportive programs and reasonable work-life balance resources to help employees successfully manage their work commitments. This policy explains the rights and responsibilities related to lactation accommodation consistent with federal and state law.

Who Should Read This Policy

This policy applies to non-represented employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's Human Resources Center.
Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comments to [email protected].

POLICY

Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) is committed to promoting a family-friendly work environment by providing supportive programs and reasonable work-life balance resources to help employees successfully manage their work commitments. This policy explains the rights and responsibilities related to lactation accommodation consistent with federal and state law.

Persons Affected

This policy applies to non-represented employees. Represented employees should consult their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Exceptions

Requests that exceed what is allowed under current policy or that are not expressly addressed by current policy are considered exceptions to policy. A request for an exception to policy requires, at a minimum, the approval of the Chief Human Resources Officer.

Policy Statement

1. General
   1. Under this policy, Berkeley Lab employees who are chestfeeding (hereinafter referred to as "nursing parent") have the right to request a lactation accommodation.
   2. Berkeley Lab will make private space available for lactation purposes and will provide lactation break periods for nursing parents. A supervisor who receives a lactation accommodation request will work, as needed, with their HR Division Partner, to identify available appropriate space and determine a break schedule.
   3. If a nursing parent's supervisor determines that the division is unable to provide break time or a location that complies with this policy, the supervisor shall provide a written response to the nursing parent.
   4. No negative employment actions will be taken when requests for accommodation are made pursuant to this policy.
2. Lactation Facilities
   1. Berkeley Lab will provide, in close proximity to the nursing parent's work area, a locked, private space that is sanitary (including appropriate temperature and ventilation) and equipped with a table, comfortable chair, and electrical outlet.
   2. Appropriate lactation facilities include, but are not limited to:
      • The employee's private office,
      • Another private office not in use,
      • A conference room or multi-purpose room that can be secured, or
      • Any available space with a locking door that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public.
   3. If a lactation-designated conference room or multi-purpose room is needed for lactation accommodation purposes, the use for lactation will take precedence over other uses.
   4. The lactation space will either be located near a source of running water or will have a sink with running water in it, and will be located in close proximity to a refrigerator.
   5. Restrooms, spaces lacking privacy, or spaces lacking a locking door are not considered appropriate spaces for lactation purposes. However, an anteroom or lounge area connected to a restroom may be sufficient if the space is private, free from intrusion, and can be locked and shielded from view.
3. Lactation Break Period
   1. Berkeley Lab will provide a reasonable amount of break time to accommodate the needs of nursing parents.
   2. A nursing parent is encouraged to discuss needs, in terms of accommodations as well as the frequency and timing of breaks, with their supervisor. These shared discussions will help nursing parents and supervisors arrange for mutually agreeable break times and durations. Supervisors are encouraged to allow flexible scheduling, whenever possible, to accommodate lactation breaks.
   3. Generally, nursing parents need two to three lactation breaks during an eight-hour work period. A reasonable amount of time for a lactation break will typically be 30 minutes per break and includes time associated with travel to and from the lactation space, expressing milk, clean up, and storage; however, the required time is impacted by individual needs and the proximity to a reasonable space for lactation; therefore, decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis.
      1. Exempt Employees. In accordance with the Hours of Work policy, the time provided for lactation break periods does not need to be recorded.
      2. Non-exempt Employees. If possible, the nursing parent's lactation break should be concurrent with an existing rest period. If the lactation break period cannot run concurrently with the rest period, Berkeley Lab will make separate lactation break time available. The separate lactation break period will be unpaid.
4. Other Reasonable Accommodation. As part of an interactive process with the Integrated Disability and Absence Management team, Berkeley Lab may provide other reasonable accommodation or transfer to a less strenuous or hazardous position upon receipt of information from the nursing parent's health care provider stating that a reasonable accommodation or transfer is medically advisable. For additional information see the Reasonable Accommodation policy.
5. Recourse
   1. A nursing parent who believes appropriate accommodation has not been provided is encouraged to contact their HR Division Partner or the Berkeley Lab FAIR Office.
   2. Complaints of violation of the right to a lactation accommodation may be filed internally with the Berkeley Lab FAIR Office, and/or externally with the California Labor Commissioner.

Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

Definitions/Acronyms

Recordkeeping Requirements

None

Implementing Documents

For the location of designated lactation rooms, see the Expectant & Nursing Mothers page on the MyFamily@Berkeley Lab website.

Contact Information

For more information, contact your division's HR Division Partner.
To contact the Integrated Disability and Absence Management team, send an email to [email protected].
To contact the FAIR Office, send an email to [email protected].
Feedback on HR policies or procedures is welcomed. Send comments to [email protected].

Revision History

Source Requirements Documents

University of California Personnel Policies for Staff Members (PPSM) 84: "Accommodations for Nursing Mothers"

California Labor Code Chapter 3.8, Sections 1030-1034, "Lactation Accommodation"

Implementing Documents