The recent tribunal victory of a Cardiff NHS worker, as reported by The Guardian and boobingit.com, sheds light on a critical issue—workplace accommodations for breastfeeding mothers. This case serves as a wake-up call for employers, highlighting the struggles faced by breastfeeding mothers returning to work and being failed from the out-set by a lack of support and basic facilities.

This case serves as a wake-up call for employers, highlighting the struggles faced by breastfeeding mothers returning to work and being failed from the out-set by a lack of support and basic facilities.

Failure To Provide A Safe & Secure Room To Express Milk

The tribunal found that the NHS failed to provide healthcare worker Robyn Gibbins with a suitable space for expressing milk, an omission that significantly impacted the worker’s health and wellbeing. Robyn was left to express milk in an unsecure room without a lock, leading to unwanted interruptions and intrusions that made her feel “exposed, undignified and very embarrassed”.

Employment Judge Rachel Harfield said: “Expressing is an intimate, personal activity where what are the appropriate arrangements will vary from individual to individual.

“Different people will have different expectations and preferences as to what constitutes privacy for them. It is important that an expressing mother feels secure and relaxed when expressing because otherwise expressing may not be effective.

This ruling, which will see Robyn Gibbins receive a payout for harassment, underscores the importance of supporting breastfeeding rights, not just as a legal obligation but as a moral imperative.

Research shows that when mothers are supported at work with facilities like clean, private spaces and adequate breaks, they are more likely to continue breastfeeding. This benefits not only the mother and baby but also the workplace itself, enhancing employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention.

Breastfeeding Rights At Work Must Be Taken Seriously

This case should motivate all organisations to seriously consider an employees breastfeeding rights at work. The needs of a breastfeeding mother should be taken seriously and actioned so that can continue to provide breast milk to their child for however long as they wish.

This case should motivate all organisations to seriously consider an employees breastfeeding rights at work.

To find out how you can make the right changes in your organisation and avoid unwanted employee claims, contact Nourish today to arrange a free consultation.