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View Full Version : Frustrated!!!


Sylko
07-09-2009, 01:32 PM
I have four children. I have worked and pumped with all of them. My most recent baby is 9 weeks old and I'm back at work. I have the Medela Pump in Syle Advanced.

I am an executive manager at the place that I work, but unlike all the other managers, my office doesn't have a door. The office space is in an old building, and the door to the old vault is in my space, so they couldn't build a wall with a door. I do have a wall separating me and the rest of the small office, but it is a few feet short of the ceiling, so I can talk with the people on the other side of the wall. I have no sound privacy. (The wall is about 8 feet tall)

I bought a folding screen to put in front of my desk while I'm pumping to give me some privacy so my staff (I have two employees), can access the vault while I pump, but I will have privacy, and they won't have to see anything.

One of my employees complained to HR, so I was told because I don't have a door, I can't pump at my desk. I like pumping at my desk because I can continue to work while I pump. I also like leaving the pump hooked up under my desk because set up and take down are so much faster that way. When I pump at my desk, I can pump more often because it I'm in the middle of something urgent, I can keep working on it while I take care of my baby's needs.

I am so frustrated by this. Someone at our work told this employee that I had criticized her to my superiors and colleagues, which i never did. In fact, I had written a memo praising her work and submitted it to the CEO and gave her a copy. I think I know who told her these lies, let's call him Jeff, because a colleague said that Jeff had told someone that she had said something she never said. I'm pretty sure Jeff twists our words and flat out makes up conflict. I'm pretty sure she complained because she thinks I talk about her behind her back (I've heard her previous supervisor did this, but now I think it was Jeff making stuff up in that case, too).

Anyway, I just had to vent about this. "rant"

The solution that was offered to me was to use the conference room in Jeff's area. I am not going to do this because I don't want him telling the world that I pump too often or too long (I pump for about 10 minutes every two hours).

My husband's solution is for me to take the minivan to work instead of my car, and pump in the back of the minivan. I can leave hte pump set up and I don't have to take it back and forth.

whitnessforhim
07-10-2009, 08:30 AM
You have a right to pump at work, not in your van and for however long you need. Have you talked to HR about what you think is going on? Can HR provide you with the legal reasons as to why you can't pump in your office, behind the screen?

I'm sorry this has become such an issue. I hope things get resolved.

crystal555rose
07-10-2009, 11:35 AM
Ugh I hate this kind of political crap. In my overly political beauracracy my boss loves to call meetings with everyone involved. Instead of talking behind each others' backs, let's see what is said face to face. For a gossiping coward, things usually change dramatically.

If I were you, I would let my boss know that I prefer to work while pumping rather than leave my work area which interrupts my work. I purchased a screen not only for my own privacy but also the comfort of my coworkers. If this is not sufficient can I be supplied with a more private workspace?

I am so sorry you have to deal with this. It is just awful. When this sort of thing happens to me (nothing related to BF but just personnel crap in general) I have anxiety about work. It makes me unhappy to be there which then heightens the guilt about being away from my child. I hope things are resolved for you soon!