You have the right to reasonable accommodations to express milk (“pump”) at work, including:
- Break time for pumping (without a reduction in compensation for time used for this purpose);
- A private, non-restroom space for pumping; and
- A space where you can safely store pumped milk.
These rights are protected under several state and federal laws, including the Illinois Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, the Illinois Human Rights Act, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, and the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. (Depending on the law, there may be some exceptions based on the type of employer, the type of employee, and the accommodations requested.)
You also have the right not to experience discrimination or retaliation at work because you are breast/chestfeeding* or because you asked for accommodations to breast/chestfeed or pump milk.
*Chestfeeding is an alternate term for lactating people that do not use the term “breast” when referring to their bodies.