Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Recognition Levels

Bronze

Policy
Verbal or written support of break time is available for nursing mothers. There may be a written policy, or one is in development.

Location
A Private pumping space is available with seating, electricity, nearby access to refrigeration/cooler storage and water. Space may be shared (meeting room or storage), is near employee workspaces and is convenient to access. Space is private and has a way to alert others that it is occupied.

Logistics
Flexible break time is available to express milk. If health insurance is provided then breast pumps are a covered benefit. Employer communicates FMLA or other maternity leave policies.

Community Support
Employer encourages women to take a breastfeeding class, see an IBCLC or receive other high-quality support. If health insurance is provided then IBCLC services are a covered benefit.

Silver

Policy
A written policy is located with other policies, within a handbook or available upon request. The policy clearly supports legal break requirements, acknowledging need for flexibility in scheduling. It may be company-wide, but staff at all locations are included in the policy.

Location
Meets accommodations from Bronze. In addition, the policy provides for a dedicated pumping space that may also be used for storage, or other "occasional" uses (not an office or meeting room that is routinely used).

Logistics
Meets logistics accommodations from Bronze. Efforts have been made to provide flexibility beyond break time. Examples include: flexible start/end times, extended lunch break, flextime or job-sharing, telecommuting, work-from-home options, etc.

Community Support
Meets community support accommodations from Bronze. Policy, or employer, details locations of support (e.g. local clinic/hospital, class, or breastfeedingsnoco.org)

Gold

Policy
A comprehensive written policy communicated verbally, and in writing, to all employees. It exceeds legal minimum break requirements. It provides complete, detailed information regarding time and compensation, limits or exclusions (or lack thereof), details the creation/maintenance of a breastfeeding friendly working environment through staff education. The policy is specific to this location for employers with multiple locations.

Location
Meets accommodations from Silver and provides a dedicated pumping space is functionally and aesthetically pleasing.

Logistics
Meets logistics accommodations from Silver. Employer has specific maternity and parental leave policies supporting family bonding, establishing breastfeeding, and gradual return to full-time work (or previous workload).

Community Support
Meets community support accommodations from Silver. Employer refers employees to specific program, support, or clinic and is aware of insurance coverage (e.g. "They take our insurance, there might be a co-pay.")

Platinum

Policy
Meets policy accommodations from Gold. The policy allows for breastfed babies/children in the workplace to support minimal separation in the first six months, and to reduce maternal stress from pumping. Policies apply to mothers of breastfed children until at least 2 years of age.

Location
Employer provides multi-user pumps for employees to use in the building. Employer may provide, or may ask mothers to provide/purchase their own kit.

Logistics
Meets logistics accommodations from Gold. In addition, employer has specific maternity and parental leave that is separate from any other paid time off or disability pay.

Community Support
Meets community support accommodations from Gold. In addition, employer employs IBCLC, La Leche League Leaders, or other lactation support professional AND all employees have access to this employee, OR Employer contracts with IBCLC to provide at least 2 postpartum comprehensive IBCLC visits without cost to the employee (especially in the case where employer-provided health insurance has not been covering IBCLC care, also important for lower-wage jobs when insurance will only reimburse for IBCLC care).