Handbook of Operating Procedures

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University") recognizes the benefits of breast feeding and has implemented and supports strategies and facilities in support of work site breast feeding in accordance with federal and state law. This support includes providing the work place flexibility required to schedule time to express milk; facilities (including a space other than a bathroom/restroom) that allow privacy for expressing milk; access to a clean, safe water source for washing hands and breast pumping equipment; and access to a hygienic storage alternative for the breast milk.

II. PROCEDURE

Supervisors are required to provide a reasonable amount of break time for an as needed duration for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express milk.  

The amount of break time needed will vary based on factors such as the location of the space and the steps reasonably necessary to express breast milk, such as pump setup.   Breaks to express milk are unpaid unless (a) the employee is exempt, (b) the non-exempt employee works during the break or is not completely relieved of duty, or (c) the employee uses an ordinary paid break period to express breast milk.

Guidance regarding how to account for the break time used by employees who express breast milk can be found on the UTH Employee Assistance Programs website.

The University recognizes that restrooms are not the appropriate place for nursing mothers to express milk. Therefore, the University has several dedicated rooms throughout the campus where nursing mothers can express milk in privacy and have access to a clean, safe water source and sink for washing hands. The locations of these rooms and contacts for use of these rooms are listed on the UTH Employee Assistance Programs website.  Employees should contact their supervisors or UTH Employee Assistance Programs at 713-500-3394 if the listed locations do not meet their needs.  Employees who work in a location that does not have a dedicated room will be provided with a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion by coworkers and the public. Employees who telework will be free from observation by any employer-provided or required video system, including computer camera, security camera, or web conferencing platform when taking a break to express milk.  

III. CONTACTS

• • UTH Office of Employee Assistance Programs
  • 713-500-3394
  • go.uth.edu/wellbeing
• • University Relations & Equal Opportunity
  • 713-500-3130

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