Under New York State law, employees who are nursing are guaranteed break time to express breast milk at work. For up to three (3) years following childbirth, employees have the right to take reasonable unpaid break time or to use paid break time or mealtime each day, to express breast milk at work.
New legislation effective June 7, 2023 expanded accommodations for nursing mothers in NYS workplaces so that all NYS employers are required to provide convenient, private pumping spaces in the workplace that include a table and seating, light, electricity, and nearby access to clean running water. The space provided cannot be a bathroom. Employers cannot discriminate against or allow other employees to discriminate against employees who decide to express breast milk at work. These laws apply to all employers in New York State regardless of size or industry.
For more information visit our frequently asked questions page.
Resources:
Policy on the Rights of Employees to Express Breast Milk in the Workplace (P705)
English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian-Creole, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, Yiddish
Your Rights as an Employee to Express Breast Milk at Work (P690)
Information for Employers: Rights of Nursing Employees to Pump Breast Milk at Work (P691)
Guidelines Regarding the Rights of Nursing Mothers to Express Breast Milk in the Workplace (LS702)