WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — WorkLife Programs will serve as a campus liaison between supervisors and employees when Purdue launches its lactation support program on July 1.
The program is being established to comply with Senate Bill 0219, which requires employers to “make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, in close proximity to the work area, where an employee can express the employee’s breast milk in privacy.”
Purdue is not required to provide additional paid break time to employees. In most situations, an employee can express her milk during normal meal and break times. However, additional time may be needed, and supervisors are encouraged to grant reasonable flex scheduling to accommodate the need.
WorkLife Programs will assist in identifying appropriate locations, scheduling and resources. Expenses incurred to address the bill are to be funded by the respective department.
In addition to working as a liaison, WorkLife Programs offers a number of resources for both the supporting department and the employee. Resources are available through the WorkLife Programs Web site at www.purdue.edu/worklife or by contacting WorkLife Programs at 49-45461 or worklife@purdue.edu.
“Lactation support helps to lower health care costs, turnover rates and absenteeism while increasing employee productivity and morale,” says Amber Simons, worklife/wellness specialist with WorkLife Programs. “We encourage employees to share this information to make others aware of the University’s spirit of support.”
