NEW YORK — New York moms returning to work after giving birth will now get paid break time when they need to pump breast milk at their jobs, under a new law that took effect Wednesday.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said the law requires employers in the state to provide a half hour of paid break time to workers who need to express breast milk for up to three years after childbirth.
“As New York’s first mom Governor, I am fighting every day to give working parents the protections they need to keep their families strong and healthy,” Hochul said in a news release.
Employers are required to tell employees about the paid breaks. The law applies to all public and private employers in the state. The break time for pumping breast milk cannot be subtracted from an employee's preexisting meal break or other paid break, according to state rules.
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “This legislation represents a major victory for working parents across New York State. By providing paid break time for breast milk expression, we are not only supporting parents and their babies but also reinforcing the importance of family-friendly workplace policies. The Department of Labor remains committed to ensuring that all employers comply with these new standards and that all employees are aware of their rights.”
“Providing paid break time for milk expression shows our support of working parents and family-friendly work environments. Breast/chest milk contains nutrients that help babies fight off viruses and bacteria, which is important in their early months, and babies who breast/chest feed have fewer infections and illnesses, which can mean fewer missed days of work for parents. I thank Governor Hochul for implementing this legislation and providing New Yorkers with resources to help them balance their personal and professional lives," said State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.
You can read more about the rules here: https://dol.ny.gov/breast-milk-expression-workplace
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