DOE employees needing to express breast milk at work have the right to a lactation space. In accordance with state labor law, updates have been made to the DOE's lactation accommodation policy.
DOE employees needing to express breast milk at work will be provided with paid break time of 30 minutes each time they have a reasonable need to express breast milk during regular work hours and during any per session hours worked and will be permitted to use their existing paid break or mealtime if they need additional time for breast milk expression beyond the thirty minutes.
Principals/office head must identify a lactation space that could be made available if an employee needing to express breast milk at work requests a lactation space.
An employee needing to request a lactation accommodation must complete and submit a Lactation Accommodation Request Form, including any proposed schedule of breaks and indicating if the employee needs a lactation space. Employees should make this request as far in advance as practicable, such as before returning from leave. The principal/office head will respond to a written request for a lactation accommodation as quickly as possible, but no later than five business days after receiving the request.
See the DOE's personnel memorandum for additional guidance.