We Need Your Help To Get the Breastfeeding Bill Enacted!
Breastfeeding is the gold standard of infant feeding due to multiple health benefits to mother and baby. This method of feeding is endorsed by many professional groups including The World Health Organization and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Breastfeeding support at the workplace can positively impact the bottom line by lowering healthcare costs, enhancing productivity, less absenteeism, improving employee satisfaction, increasing retention and improving corporate image.
The workforce is changing dramatically. More than 50% of adult women are in the workforce. Two-thirds of new employees will be women starting or returning to work. Seventy five % of working women become pregnant during their working lives.
The proposed legislation would include:
Employers with more than 25 employees must have a written policy supporting women who want to continue breastfeeding when returning to work.
For women who need to use a breast pump at work, employers must make reasonable efforts to provide a space for using the pump. The space must be clean, private, have adequate lighting, an electrical outlet, be near the employee's workspace and not be a bathroom. It should have access to a clean safe water source and a sink.
Employee must be allowed to pump on break time.
An employer shall not be liable for storage or refrigeration of breast milk, payment for break time in addition to established breaks or payment of overtime while a nursing mother uses the pump.
An employer shall not discriminate against an employee who has elected to exercise her rights.
What can I do to help?
The most important thing you can do is contact both your state senator and your state representative. You are their constituent and they will listen.
Ask your friends and family to do the same.
How do I find out who represents me?
Use the Find Your Legislator feature on the South Carolina Legislature Online web site.
How do I contact them?
You can call, email or write a letter. It does not matter which method you chose as long as you contact them. If you call, please make sure you actually speak to them.
What do I say?
Tell them the bill proposition is forthcoming. ASK THEM TO VOTE FOR IT. The most effective letters and emails are short, to the point and from the heart. Points to include:
Supporting breastfeeding/pumping in the workplace decreases business costs. One-day absences to care for sick children occur more than twice as often for mothers of formula feeding infants. Breastfeeding reduces healthcare costs due to health benefits. Less expenses due to higher employee retention.
Maintaining lactation helps build a highly skilled, capable workforce of women. Women who can continue the nurturing relationship of breastfeeding are more likely to return to work after their babies are born and it increases productivity. Employees have a greater job satisfaction, higher morale and job loyalty.
This act would help foster a favorable climate for employers and their employees by pumping at work. There is such a higher rate of employee retention when employees can continue the optimal feeding method. Being able to continue pumping at work is an added recruitment incentive for women. Businesses have an improved image in the community as a family-friendly workplace.
This will help to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians by mothers providing the gold standard of infant feeding, breastfeeding. The reduced health care costs for breastfed infants translate into lower medical insurance claims for businesses. Babies who are not breastfed visit the doctor more often, spend more days in the hospital, and require more prescriptions than breastfed infants. Everyone wins – individuals, businesses, and the community at large when we create a healthier workforce for the future of South Carolina.
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