By Lauren Zucker, Ph.D.
The PUMP Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act are two pieces of federal law that provide rights and accommodations for pumping employees in addition to protections under state law here in New Jersey. But there’s still much confusion around these protections, which makes it difficult to navigate in a complex school environment.
Even as someone with experience and expertise on this topic, it was essential—for my own and my baby’s well-being—to seek assistance from union leaders, lactation activists and legal experts to avail myself of these rights under federal and state laws.
For example, the federal law provides lactation protections up until a baby’s first birthday, but our stronger New Jersey breastfeeding laws put no age limit on the protections. This is still a point of confusion in our schools that may be reflected in board policies.
I encourage you to review and share these:
New Jersey Breastfeeding Coalition
NJEA Review
“Advocating for Members’ Lactation Rights,” June 2023
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
“Frequently Asked Questions – Pumping Breast Milk at Work”
A Better Balance
“Pregnant or Parenting at School” (Students’ Rights under Title IX)
NJEA
“Building a Family” workshop series (webinars)
Topics include pregnancy loss, overcoming infertility, the adoption/fostering process, equitable birth outcomes and parental mental health, paid leave access, and lactation rights for educators.
Dr. Lauren Zucker is an English teacher at Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale. She serves as membership chair for her local association and represents Bergen County on the Women in Education Committee. Zucker writes about teaching and research at laurenzucker.org.