In recognition of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and infants and in compliance with state and federal law, The City College of New York (City College) supports the rights of nursing mothers at school and in the workplace. City College is dedicated to making its best effort to accommodate requests from nursing mothers for break time and a private space to express breast milk on campus.
City College is required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as New York State Labor Law, to provide certain protections and benefits to employees who are nursing mothers. City College also is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 from discriminating against students on the basis of sex, including pregnancy and related conditions. On the basis of this City College is reaffirming its commitment to provide lactation accommodations for its employees and students.
City College will provide its employees reasonable break time for up to three years after they give birth to express milk. An employee may utilize their paid break periods to express milk, take an unpaid break period, or make up the time they may need by extending their workday. City College will also provide to employees, upon request, a room or other location, in reasonably close proximity to the work area where they can express milk in privacy. The room will not be a bathroom, and it will be shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public. These rooms will also be made available to students based on availability, on a first-come, first-served basis.
City College has established the following spaces as available lactation rooms:
The Health and Wellness Office (Office of Student Health Services), Marshak Building – Room 15
To gain access to the lactation room, please contact Quanee Robinson, CUNY Administrative Assistant, at qrobinson@ccny.cuny.edu , or contact Health and Wellness Office via email shs@ccny.cuny.edu or call (212) 650-8222. This space is available to students and employees.
Responsibilities of Employees
Discuss requests for time off to express milk with your supervisor. You may request reasonable unpaid break time and/or use your paid breaks or meal times for this purpose. Time used to express milk may be made up at the beginning or end of the work day. Generally, a maximum of 15-25 minutes three times a day should be sufficient, depending on how far away the location is from your work space.
Responsibilities of Supervisors
Supervisors should grant reasonable requests for unpaid break time and/or the use of paid breaks or mealtimes for lactation. Time used to express milk may be made up at the beginning or end of the day. Generally, a maximum of 15-25 minutes three times a day should be sufficient, depending on how far the lactation room is from the employee’s workspace. The employee should be able to tell you approximately what time they will need breaks and how long it will take. However, we ask that you be flexible.
Please consult with Human Resources via email at human.resources@ccny.cuny.edu or extension 7226 should any difficulties arise in complying with this policy. Federal and state law explicitly prohibits discrimination against an employee who chooses to express milk in the workplace.
Responsibilities of Students
Students will have access to lactation rooms based on availability and on a first-come, first-served basis, and may need to schedule access ahead of time, depending on use.
Last Updated: 05/16/2024 10:32