Legal section: Expressing during working hours
My maternity leave is almost over and I wonder about pumping. Is this allowed during working hours, or should this be done during breaks? And does my employer have to arrange something for this?
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The right to breastfeed a child, or the right to express breast milk, is regulated in the Working Hours Act. It states that during the first nine months of your child's life you have the right to interrupt labor for breastfeeding or pumping.
You may interrupt your work as often and for as long as necessary, but in total the interruptions should not last longer than a quarter of the working day. You can make agreements with your employer about when and for how long you will interrupt work. The interruptions are paid.
The right to breastfeed a child, or the right to express breast milk, is regulated in the Working Hours Act
Suitable space
Your employer must in any case provide a suitable, lockable room where you can feed or express milk, as included in the Working Conditions Decree. The room must be well heated and hygienic and a comfortable chair or sofa is also a requirement. It is not the intention that a pantry or toilet is temporarily offered for feeding or expressing.
Not mandatory, but desirable is the provision of running water, for example for rinsing the breast pump. In addition, it is preferred that there is a refrigerator for storing the breast milk. If one is not available in the breast pump room, one must be available elsewhere.
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