Lactation Accommodations

A Lactation Accommodations policy explains how your organization will provide reasonable break time and a private, non-restroom space for employees to express breast milk, plus clear request, scheduling, storage, and non-retaliation rules that align with federal requirements, state, and local laws.

How to Write a Lactation Accommodations Policy

• Start with why: your organization values working moms.
• State the right to take lactation breaks to express milk at work.
• Explain how lactation breaks relate to existing rest and meal breaks, including whether the time is paid or unpaid.
• Commit to providing a private lactation space that is not a restroom and is reasonably close to the work area.
• Describe the basic features of the lactation space (privacy, cleanliness, seating, surface, and access to power and water).
• Address milk storage options and labeling expectations for shared refrigerators or personal coolers.
• Explain how employees request lactation accommodations and how your organization will confirm the plan.
• Note how scheduling and shared use of the space will be handled to provide reasonable access.
• Include an anti-retaliation and non-discrimination statement for anyone who requests or uses lactation accommodations.
• Explain the process for identifying alternatives when standard accommodations are not feasible due to undue hardship.

For advice on writing a Lactation Accommodations policy in a specific jurisdiction, see below.