Role of Legislation in Supporting Pregnant and Breastfeeding Employees in the Workplace
Originally presented on November 14, 2023
Overview
Expert organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize that human milk is the ideal food for infants. Exclusive breastfeeding/human milk feeding is recommended for the first 6 months, with introduction of complementary foods and continued human milk feeding until two years of age or beyond, as mutually desired by the dyad. For many parents who choose or must go back to work, however, continued human milk feeding is more challenging due to inadequate support in workplace, lack of knowledge of laws, the work culture and its demands, and/or logistics.
Research shows that businesses that support their employees during pregnancy or when breastfeeding or pumping at work, have happier, more loyal, and satisfied employees. There are also financial benefits for these businesses. Cost savings are realized from: increased retention of experienced employees; reduction in sick time taken by both parents for infant’s illnesses; and lower health care and insurance costs. Recently new federal laws were passed and NY laws were revised to better protect and support pregnant and breastfeeding employees.
There is a need to increase awareness and knowledge of these laws among employers and employees, but also among healthcare providers, public health workers, advocates, and the broader community to help inform and support pregnant and breastfeeding people in the workplace.
Webcast
Learn More
Speakers
Johanna Cabrera
Supervising Labor Standards Investigator, Dist 06
NYS DOL
Nassau/Albany NY
Sarah Decker
Community Outreach & Resource Planning Specialist
U.S. DOL, Wage & Hour Division
Albany, NY District Office
Jessica Lee
Senior Staff Attorney | Director, Pregnant Scholar Initiative
Center for WorkLife Law
University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Learning Outcome and Objectives
As a result of participation in this activity, the learners will increase and enhance knowledge and competence on the requirements and strategies for implementing the NYS Nursing Employees in the Workplace Act and the federal PUMP Act.
By the end of the webcast, participants will be able to:
- Explain the current rights and protections afforded pregnant and breastfeeding employees under the new/revised federal and state laws.
- Summarize key strategies to improve lactation support in the workplace.
- Describe the evidence that demonstrates how workplace support for pregnant or breastfeeding employees’ benefits businesses.
- Identify tools to help employers implement policies to protect and support pregnant and lactating employees in the workplace.
- Describe role of healthcare and public health providers in educating pregnant and breastfeeding individuals on their rights and protections in the workplace.
Activity Materials
Evaluation, Post-Test and Certificate
Continuing Education Credits
To Obtain Continuing Education Credits
Each participant interested in CE credits must watch the activity, complete an evaluation and post-test, which is available above under "Evaluation, Post-test for CE Credits". A score of 80% and above on the post-test will generate a certificate indicating the requested credits.
Criteria for Successful Completion: Learners must attend 100% of this activity to be awarded full continuing education credits /contact hours.
Disclosure Statements
None of the other planners, moderator, and presenters have any financial arrangements or affiliations with any ineligible companies whose products, research or services may be discussed in this activity.
No commercial funding has been accepted for this activity.
Continuing Medical Education Credits
The School of Public Health, University at Albany is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The School of Public Health, University at Albany designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Continuing Medical Education Credits are offered until November 30, 2024.
Continuing Nurse Education Contact Hours
University at Albany School of Public Health is approved with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the Northeast Multistate Division Education Unit, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
This offering is approved for 2.0 nursing contact hour(s).
Nursing Contact Hours are offered until November 30, 2024.
Certified Health Education Specialist Contact Hours
Sponsored by the School of Public Health, University at Albany, SUNY, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES®) to receive up to 2.0 total Category I contact education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours available are 0. Continuing Competency credits available are 2.0. Provider ID# 99086.
Continuing Education Contact Hours are offered until November 30, 2024.
Certified in Public Health
This event is sponsored by the School of Public Health, University at Albany, an approved provider of CPH Renewal Credits by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
This offering is approved for 2.0 Certified in Public Health Renewal Credits.
CPH Renewal Credits are offered until November 30, 2024.
Lactation Continuing Education Recognition Points (L-CERPs)
CERPs are allocated by IBLCE, Approval Number C20231162. This activity has been approved for 2.0 L-CERPs.
L-CERPs are offered until November 13, 2024.