The Greenfield Union School District (GFSUD) recognizes the immediate and long-term health advantages of breastfeeding for infants and mothers. As part of the district’s family-friendly policies and benefits, Greenfield Union School District supports breastfeeding mothers by accommodating the mother who wishes to express breast milk during her workday when separated from her newborn child. This policy applies to all new mothers regardless of status and position.
How to Request Accommodations:
An employee shall notify the employee's supervisor or the personnel department in advance of the intent to request an accommodation. The supervisor shall respond to the request and shall work with the employee to make arrangements. If needed, the supervisor shall address scheduling in order to ensure that the employee's essential job duties are covered during the break time. An employee’s request may be provided orally, by email, or in writing, and need not be submitted on a specific form. Employees in need of workplace accommodations for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, will be engaged in a good-faith interactive process to explore any and all reasonable accommodations. Employees returning from maternity or bonding leave will be reminded of their right to request lactation accommodations. When a request is made, the District desires to provide a supportive environment for any district employee to express milk for her infant child upon her return to work following the birth of the child.
District Lactation Accommodations:
When a request is made, the District is obligated to provide a location, other than a bathroom/toilet stall, to express milk that
is:
• Safe, clean, and free of hazardous materials;
• Contain a surface to place a breast pump and personal items;
• Contain a place to sit;
• Have access to electricity or alternative devices, including but not limited to extension cords or charging stations
needed to operate electric or battery-powered breast pump; and
• Has Access to a sink with running water and refrigerator, or another cooling device such as a District provided
cooler suitable for storing milk, in close proximity to the employee’s workplace (i.e. staff lounge).
The room or location may include the place where the employee normally works (i.e. Classroom) if it otherwise meets the requirements listed above.
Effective June 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) provides additional guidance regarding reasonable accommodations. PWFA defines reasonable accommodation as changes to the work environment or the way things are usually done at work. The legislation provides several examples of what a reasonable accommodation under PWFA could
include, such as:
• The ability to sit or drink water
• Receive closer parking
• Flexible work hours
• Appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel
• Additional break time to use the bathroom, eat, and/or rest
• Leave or time off to recover from childbirth
• Excusing an employee from strenuous activities or activities that involve exposure to compounds not safe for pregnancy.
Additional information regarding the PWFA can be found by vising the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
(EEOC)
fact sheet.
Right to File a Complaint:
Greenfield Union School District policy and the law prohibits discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation against any district employee for exercising or attempting to exercise rights under this policy. In the event an employee believes accommodations are not being provided or met, the employee is encouraged to contact the supervisor or personnel department for assistance to address the concern. If the employee continues to believe she has been denied reasonable break time or adequate space to express milk, or has been otherwise denied rights related to lactation accommodation, the employee has the right to file a complaint with the Labor Commissioner’s Bureau of Field Enforcement (BOFE) at the BOFE office located at:
More information regarding the Greenfield Union School District's Lactation Accommodation Policy is found in Policy 4033 or within the Greenfield Union School District Employee Handbook.