FLSA Amended to Require Breaks for Nursing Mothers

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Suzanne M. Boy

As part of the recently enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ("PPACA"), the Fair Labor Standards Act has been amended to require breaks for nursing mothers.  Effective immediately, employers must now provide "reasonable" breaks for nursing mothers to breastfeed or express breast milk.  The amendment does not define "reasonable," nor does it specify the length or frequency of the required breaks.  The reasonable breaks, which must be provided for up to one year after the child's birth, can be unpaid breaks.

Additionally, employers must also provide a private place, other than a restroom, that is "shielded from view an free from intrusion from coworkers and the public." 

Many states already have laws related to nursing in the workplace.  Florida, however, is not one of them.  While Florida Statute 383.015 allows women to breastfeed in any public or private location, no law in Florida specifically required an employer to offer breaks for nursing mothers.

Expect the Department of Labor to issue guidance on this issue shortly.  Until then, employers must take care to design appropriate break policies to ensure compliance with this new FLSA requirement.

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Miss Blu's Workplace Policy #101:

Posted on April 1, 2010 by Miss Blu

MEMO

To:   All Employees  

From:   Miss Blu* in HR

Re:  Workplace Policy #101:  Drinking at Company Party

 

As you are aware, the company party is coming up this weekend. HR is concerned that some employees will get snockered at this event. Since some of those in HR plan on getting wasted as well, HR has put into place some guidelines for all employees who choose to consume alcoholic beverages. 

 

You should have someone who is sober drive you home or you should have someone call you a cab if:

  • You are taking off articles of clothing (you have had too much to drink)
  • You are vomiting at any point in the evening (you have had too much to drink) 
  • You are starting to bad mouth the boss and/or company (you definitely have had too much to drink) 
  • You are falling down, "tripping" or running into walls or other objects (you are drunk)
  • You start hitting on the busboy in front of your date/escort (you are probably intoxicated and should seek alternate ways home, unless the busboy offers to take you home, then your problem is solved)
  • You think you sound good when you sing the karaoke version of My Achy Breaky Heart (enough said -- you are wasted)

HR requests that the above guidelines be followed on Saturday. If anyone has any questions, please see HR. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination.

 

*Miss Blu is the nom de plume for a Human Resources professional who lives and works in Southwest Florida.  You can find her complete biography here.

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