Another Important Update for Current & Future Nursing Mothers: the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act)
The PUMP Act extends the rights of nursing mothers to break time and a private space for pumping breast milk for up to one year after giving birth. Workers will now be compensated for working during their designated break time. If the employer already provides paid breaks, the worker must be allowed to use that time for pumping breast milk. The law also expands the ability of the workers to take additional unpaid pumping breaks once their allocated paid breaks are used.
Certain exemptions apply, including the “undue hardship” exemption, which is applicable only to small businesses.
Under the PUMP Act, workers have the right to access legal remedies including but not limited to; employment reinstatement, payment for lost wages, and compensation for damages for losses as a result of violations. In appropriate cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.
You can learn more at: https://www.dol.gov/ agencies/ whd/ pump-at-work