Creating a Mother-Friendly Workplace – Merging Job Requirements with Employee Needs

A Mother-Friendly Workplace is a workplace that supports a mother in her effort to combine her commitments to her child while participating in the paid workforce. It may also be referred to as a “Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace” or a “Lactation Support Program.”

Quick Facts
In 2006, 64 per cent of Canadian women with children under three years of age were employed compared with 28 per cent in 1976. [Almey M., (2007). Women in Canada: Work Chapter Updates. Statistics Canada. Available at www.statcan.gc.ca (Accessed March 27, 2009)]

The World Health Organization and Health Canada recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continued breastfeeding until age 2 or beyond. As a result, most working mothers with young children return to work at a time when they are still (or could still be) breastfeeding.

As of December 31, 2000, women who give birth are entitled to one year of combined maternity and parental leave in most provinces. Research has shown that longer maternity leaves result in longer breastfeeding duration rates.

In Ontario, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are protected from discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Women are guaranteed the right to breastfeed their children anytime, anywhere and employers have a duty to accommodate employees who breastfeed their children.

Workplaces that have implemented programs to support breastfeeding employees have found:
     • Reduced employee turnover
     • Lower absenteeism rates
     • Lower health care costs
     • Higher productivity and loyalty
     • Positive public relations

Resources

Best Start. How to be a Family-Friendly Workplace. Health Nexus, Ontario.
Booklet for workplaces about becoming more family friendly. Includes information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and transition to parenting as well as examples of family friendly strategies.

California Department of Public Health. WIC Breastfeeding Resources for Employers. 
      Resources available to download include:
      • Sample Paycheque Messages
      • Sample Flyer for Employee Break Rooms
      • Improving the Bottom Line for Businesses
      • Developing a Breastfeeding Workplace Policy

Department of Labour. Breastfeeding in the Workplace: A Guide for Employers. New Zealand
Includes suggestions for both large and small businesses as well as an overview of why it makes good business sense to support breastfeeding in the workplace.

LA Best Babies Network. Pregnancy and Family Friendly Workplace Policies.
This document provides recommendations and useful websites to assist in creating a workplace culture that supports women and their families. 

MaineGeneral Medical Center. Mother-Friendly Worksite Toolkit. Waterville Maine.
This toolkit includes information about what is needed to set up a worksite breastfeeding support program as well as some sample resources. This link takes you to the short version of their Mother-Friendly Worksite Toolkit. The full toolkit available to order, information how to do so contained in the short version.

Middlesex-London Health Unit. Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace.
This resource includes an overview of the benefits of breastfeeding  for employers, mothers, children and the community-at-large.  Also includes information for employees and a number of links to helpful breastfeeding resources.

Ontario Human Rights Commission. (2008). Policy on Discrimination Because of Pregnancy and Breastfeeding.   
This document contains the Ontario Human Rights Commission’s interpretation of the provisions of the Ontario Human Rights Code relating to pregnancy and breastfeeding. The Policy examines the different ways in which women experience discrimination on the basis of pregnancy and breastfeeding. The Policy also sets out the respective responsibilities of those involved in the accommodation process.

Ontario Public Health Association. (2008). Creating a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace.
This Canadian publication will assist your organization in creating a family-friendly workplace that will enable employees to achieve a balance between their career and parenting responsibilities. Provides an overview of components of a workplace breastfeeding support program.

Texas Department of State Health Services. 
Resources that pertain to combining breastfeeding and work that are available to download include:
     • Talking with Your Employer About Breastfeeding (for employees)
     • Breastfeeding and Returning to Work (for employees)
     • Become a Mother-Friendly Worksite (for employers)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Business Case for Breastfeeding: Steps for Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite.
A series of resources available to order that address why supporting breastfeeding in the workplace is important to how to establish a workplace breastfeeding support program.
     • Kit (Item #MCH00254);
     • Resource for Business Managers (Item #MCH00249);
     • Resource for Employees (Item #MCH00250))

Mark Your Calendar-Upcoming Events

Project Health Networking Session- Creating a Mother-Friendly Workplace Strategy: Merging Job Requirements with Employee Needs
June 17, 2009, 12:00 noon-2:00pm
Register at www.projecthealth.ca to learn about the business case for creating a mother-friendly workplace, the four pillars of a mother-friendly strategy and tools and resources to create and support a mother-friendly workplace.

Free Multicultural Prenatal Health Fair – for people planning a pregnancy and people who are pregnant
May 28, 2009 5:00pm-8:00pm
Kitchener Public Library
85 Queen Street N., Kitchener
For more information call:  519-883-2308

Free Prenatal Health Fair – for people planning a pregnancy and people who are pregnant
September 30, 2009 5:00pm-8:00pm
Cambridge Newfoundland Club
1500 Dunbar Road, Cambridge

Pregnancy and Birth: Current Clinical Issues Annual Conference
Friday, September 11, 2009
Marriott Toronto Eaton Centre
525 Bay St., Toronto, ON
Through lectures and interactive discussions between the audience and experts, participants will learn about research-based approaches to a variety of important and commonly encountered aspects of prenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care.

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action: World Breastfeeding Week
August 1-7, 2009

Breastfeeding Week Canada: The theme for 2009 is “Breastfeeding: A Vital Emergency Response.  Are You Ready?”
October 1-7, 2009
Global Breastfeeding Challenge: Kitchener-Waterloo
October 3, 2009, 11:00 am
Waterloo Town Square

Global Breastfeeding Challenge: Cambridge
October 5, 2009, 10:00 am
Cambridge Centre Mall (outside of Sears)

Cambridge Community Breastfeeding Group presents a Breastfeeding Event 
October 8, 2009, 7:30 pm (Registration at 6:30pm)
Cambridge City Hall in the Bowman Room
Guest Speaker for the event will be Kathy Ventor, Lactation Consultant

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