I. Scope
This policy applies to all employees of George Mason University.
II. Policy Statement
The University will make private space available on campus for lactation purposes and will provide reasonable lactation break periods for all employees who are lactating. Employees working from home are also entitled to reasonable breaks for lactation purposes.
III. Definitions
Lactation: the secretion of milk by the mammary glands.
Lactation Space: means a dedicated or non-dedicated private space used to express milk. Lactation Rooms must be private, shielded from view, and not located in a restroom or common area.
Lactating Employees: means any individual who is currently lactating or expressing milk.
IV. Compliance
A. Lactation Facilities
The university will provide a lockable, private space that is sanitary–including appropriate temperature and ventilation–and equipped with a table, chair, and electrical outlet. If possible, the lactation space either will be located near a source of running water or will have a sink with running water in it. Lactation spaces may serve other purposes in addition to lactation purposes; however, spaces designated as lactation spaces will be available when the lactating employee needs the space.
The space will be in close proximity to the lactating employee’s work area, generally not more than a 5-7 minute walk.
B. Accommodation Requests
Supervisors must work with lactating employees to determine the necessary, reasonable break times, or flexible scheduling, required to accommodate their unique needs. The number of breaks needed to express milk depends on numerous factors such as the number of feedings and age of the child. A lactating employee will typically need two to three breaks during an eight-hour period; however, more break times may be necessary. Supervisors will exercise as much scheduling flexibility as reasonably possible to accommodate the lactating employee’s needs. Supervisors must also work with their employees to help coordinate access to a Lactation Room.
In the event that the supervisor and employee are unable to reach an agreement on lactation break times, employees should contact the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Human Resources.
Lactating employees must provide adequate notice to their supervisor or designee of their request for lactation support (i.e. lactation room, flexible work, break time, etc.) and communicate their unique needs.
C. Storage of Milk
Lactating employees are responsible for storage of expressed milk while on campus. Employees storing milk in a university-owned refrigerator assume all responsibility for the safety of the milk and the risk of harm for any reason, including improper storage, refrigeration, and tampering.
D. Employee Concerns
Lactating employees may contact the Title IX Coordinator to discuss concerns, including concerns related to possible discrimination based on gender or parenting status.
V. EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPROVAL
A. Effective Date:
This policy will become effective upon the date of approval by the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and the Provost and Executive Vice President.
B. Date of Most Recent Review:
June 30, 2023
VI. Timetable for Review
This policy shall be reviewed and revised, if necessary, annually to become effective at the beginning of the University’s fiscal year, unless other noted.
VII. Signatures
Approved:
_____/S______
Deb Dickenson
Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Finance
_____/S______
Mark R. Ginsberg
Provost and Executive Vice President
Revised: June 30, 2023
Page last updated: August 18, 2023