Breastfeeding City Employees May Get Some Privacy

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Photo by Daquella manera via Flickr

After banning smoking near outdoor dining areas, the Los Angeles City Council this morning took on the issue of breastfeeding at work. No, there's nothing wrong or illegal about doing it on the job at a desk, but state law does encourage employers to set up a private area so women feel more comfortable.

Introduced by City Councilmember Tony Cardenas last August during World Breastfeeding Week, his motion seeks to find "the feasibility of creating lactation rooms for mothers with newborns in City facilities with 250 or more occupants," according to today's agenda (.pdf).

"Backers of the proposal said it would cut down on absenteeism by city employees who are new mothers," noted the LA Times.

The idea, which also instructs city staff to study the costs associated with creating the rooms, was passed unanimously.

By Zach Behrens in News on January 20, 2010 12:46 PM

See full story, including links, here:

http://laist.com/2010/01/20/city_takes_on_lactation.php