I.          Policy

The University of South Carolina Aiken recognizes the importance of supporting faculty, staff and students who choose to breastfeed. The following policy is in accordance with the workplace breastfeeding support provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Section 4207 found at http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf), which states that: "employers shall provide reasonable, unpaid break time and a private, non-bathroom place for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child's birth," and current South Carolina state law (SC Act 269 of 2006), which states that a woman may breastfeed her child in any place open to the public. This policy is also in accordance with USC Policy 1.60, Lactation Support Policy.

The University, which promotes a family-friendly work and study environment, acknowledges the significant health benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and their infants. Therefore, the University of South Carolina Aiken acknowledges that 1) the University shall provide sanitary and private space, other than a toilet stall or locker room, to be used as a lactation room by employees or students who are breastfeeding and/or expressing milk, and 2) supervisors, chairs and managers are requested to work with employees and students who are breastfeeding to schedule reasonable and adjustable break times each day for this activity.

 A. Location

 The current nursing mothers' lounge is located in the Nursing Building, Room 125. A key to this lactation room is available at the School of Nursing Office Suite, Room 101. Other rooms will be made available if the need arises.

 B. Flexible Break Times

 Breastfeeding mothers must request and arrange with their supervisor appropriate and reasonable break times for breastfeeding or expressing breast milk for up to one (1) year after the child's birth. Supervisors should attempt to provide reasonable break time to accommodate their needs.

1. Employees must be allowed to take reasonable breaks during the work day to express milk.

2. Employees may request to adjust their work schedules for the purposes of lactation.

3. Supervisors and employees shall work together to establish mutually convenient times for milk expression. Employees should discuss the frequency and duration of the breaks with their supervisors.

4. Supervisors are requested to work to ensure that there are no negative consequences to nursing mothers who need lactation break times.

5. Employees should contact the next level of supervisor or Human Resources if their immediate supervisors do not allow reasonable breaks.

II. Procedure

A. The breastfeeding mother is responsible for contacting her supervisor to request space and time to express milk. 

B. Supervisors who receive a lactation accommodation request are asked to contact the School of Nursing Office to inform them of the request and to work with the employee to schedule break times.

C. After using a lactation room, mothers who are expressing milk shall be responsible for keeping the room clean.

D. If an employee has comments, concerns, or questions regarding the USC Aiken Lactation Support Policy, please contact Human Resources.

See also USC Policy HR 1.60, Lactation Support Policy.