Workplace support for lactating mothers: a study of benefits provided by employers in the Hudson, Wisconsin area

Abstract

Nationwide statistics reveal that women face barriers in their attempts to combine work and breastfeeding (Blum, 1993; Cohen & Mrtek, 1994; Lindberg, 1996a; Ryan & Martinez, 1989; Thompson & Bell,1997). In this study I attempted to determine the amount and types of workplace support that Hudson, Wisconsin area employers currently provide for hourly paid and salaried working mothers who decide to breastfeed their infant. The study identified employers who recognize a need to support women who decide to breastfeed while continuing to work or returning to work. The Survey of Workplace Support for Lactating Mothers (SWSLM), sent to human resource personnel in Hudson and surrounding communities in St. Croix County, was used to determine the number of women who took advantage of such programs during the years 1994-1999 in participating workplaces. The human resource personnel represented small, medium, and large workplaces in the following sectors: wholesale/retail, educational, government, health services, and manufacturing. The researcher was available by phone to offer explanations or clarification of questions. A SASE was included for the participants to return the survey. Participants were informed that they may be contacted by telephone for clarification of their responses upon return of the surveys. The SWSLM is a self-report instrument designed by the researcher for the purposes of this investigation. Part one consists of demographic questions including: the number of employees at the company, a breakdown of this number by gender, hourly versus salaried workers, number of female employees who had babies in the years of the study, number of female employees who breastfed their infants, and ethnic and racial categories. Part two contains a list of typical lactation provisions and benefits in the following categories: lactation provisions, flexible time arrangements, dependent care assistance, and traditional benefits. Personnel directors were asked to check off those available to employees in their workplace. In part three, short answer, open-ended questions provide personnel directors the chance to elaborate on these answers and discuss benefits and difficulties experienced by their company. Demographic data was analyzed with descriptive statistics. Responses to open-ended questions were coded according to themes found in the data. Local health care providers, social service agencies, and counselors who work with women and families will be able to use the information in this study to help women have realistic expectations about returning to work or to brainstorm ways to successfully combine employment and breastfeeding. Using this description of benefits that are available to employees in one area of Western Wisconsin, breastfeeding advocates in Wisconsin will be better informed when they determine strategies for increasing breastfeeding rates by helping employers provide lactation friendly workplaces. Releasing the results of this report to regional media may further the local focus on this issue.