Benefits to being a Breastfeeding Friendly Employer, Aug. 15

CHW release – Did you know organizations can save $3 for every $1 spent on their workplace lactation support program? Some benefits for employers are: • Decrease in health care and insurance costs; • Lower absenteeism due to infant illness; • Improve employee productivity; • Increase employee loyalty leading to less turn over. Based on Oregon and Federal Law, employers with 10 or more employees are required to: • Provide a private and clean space (not a bathroom) where breastfeeding employees can express breastmilk; • Provide flexible break times to allow mothers to pump breastmilk whenever needed. If you would like to know more about the Oregon and Federal Law regarding breastfeeding in the workplace go to: www.healthoregon.org/bf Here are some extra ways to support your breastfeeding employees: • Have a written policy in place that supports breastfeeding employees; • Provide local breastfeeding resources; • Provide refrigerator space to store the breastmilk; If you’re interested in becoming a breastfeeding friendly workplace, Coos Health & Wellness developed a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Toolkit that provides information and resources. Click here for the toolkit. If you already are a breastfeeding friendly workplace, you can apply to be recognized by Coos Health & Wellness.