A U.S. Department of Labor investigation discovered that Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa violated a federal law that provides protection for nursing mothers to express milk in the workplace.
Investigators with the department’s Wage and Hour Division concluded that Ardent Health Services +, operating as Hillcrest Medical Center, limited break times for expressing milk to specified times and only if there was sufficient staffing. The employer’s action violated the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act, which allows a nursing worker to take breaks as needed to express milk for one year after her child’s birth.
“Healthcare industry employers should be at the forefront of ensuring workplace protections for nursing workers,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Michael Speer in Oklahoma City. “Setting aside a private, clean space and allowing reasonable break time supports working mothers and helps employers retain skilled staff. The Wage and Hour Division is available to provide compliance assistance to employers with questions about the PUMP Act.”
As a result of the division’s investigation, Hillcrest Medical Center updated its policies and practices to comply with federal law.
Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency’s industry-specific compliance assistance toolkits to learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division.