Tools for the HR Manager

Worksite lactation programs are a win-win-win. Healthy babies, happy moms, and satisfied employers.

In recognition of the compelling research on the health risks of not breastfeeding, and the Return on Investment to implementing worksite lactation programs, the US government developed a comprehensive Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit.

 

An excerpt from the Toolki'ts Guide for HR Managers: Easy Steps for Supporting Breastfeeding Employees is below, and an overview of the components of the Toolkit follows. An excerpt from the Toolkit follows, with ordering and technical assistance information below.

 

Steps to Support

The basic needs of breastfeeding employees are minimal. Across the United States businesses have created supportive work environments for breastfeeding employees, and have discovered that the return in cost savings and productivity among employees is worth the investment.

A comprehensive program that includes the following four components has been shown in business environments to provide the greatest return on investment:

Privacy for milk expression.

  • Any clean, private space that is free from intrusion by co-workers or the public is acceptable. Access to an electrical outlet is helpful, though many pumps can be battery operated.

Flexible breaks and work options.

  • Women need to express milk about every three hours. Each milk expression times takes a minimum of 15-20 minutes plus set up, clean up and time to travel to and from the lactation rooms.

Education.

  • Employers can help with an employee's transition to balancing work and parenthood by providing information and resources during and after pregnancy.
  • This information is also beneficial for expectant fathers. Companies that provide lactation information and support for male employees and their partners have lower absenteeism rates among men and lower health insurance claims.

Support.

  • A positive, accepting attitude from upper management, supervisors, and coworkers helps breastfeeding employees feel confident in their ability to continue working while breastfeeding.

 

The Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit has five components:

  • The Business Case for Financial managers
  • Easy Steps Guide for HR Managers
  • Toolkit for HR managers
  • Employee's Guide for Breastfeeding and Working
  • Outreach Marketing Guide for community advocates

The Easy Steps Guide for HR Managers includes:

  • Information on how to get started implementing a lactation program
  • How to merge work requirements with employee needs
  • A comprehensive discussion of the four program components described above
  • Information on how to promote the program, and finally,
  • Tools to evaluate the program and report on the Return on Investment.

The Toolkit Guide folder happens to be printed in a gold color, and at the BCO we say that's because this folder is worth it's weight in gold. It includes:

  • Sample worksite policy
  • Sample assessment form
  • Timeline for implementing a lactation support program
  • Lactation support program feedback form
  • Promotional flyers
  • Promotional table tent
  • Drop-in newsletter communications
  • Poster Resource guide of local and national information and resources
  • Employer spotlights of stories of how other employers have creatively implemented their lactation support programs
  • All on a CD-ROM that can be adapted for your company, or produced as-is, making a truly turn-key opportunity.

Overview of the Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit materials.

Order a Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit.  Look for Inventory Code MCH00254

Download components of the Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit free from Office on Women's Health.

Supporting presentation from the National Business Groups on Health.  Scroll down to November 14, 2008, click on the presentation called:  US Department of Health and Human Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau Presentation.

 

Local Training and Technical Assistance available:
The US Maternal Child Health Bureau (MCHB) and Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) recently released a comprehensive, evidence-based Business Case for Breastfeeding Toolkit.

MCHB additionally trained ten state breastfeeding coalitions to implement the new product, and the Breastfeeding Coalition of Oregon was selected, due in large part to the need for the product given the new Rest Breaks for Breast Milk Expression law.

Two BCO representatives, Amelia Psmythe from Portland and Sherri Tobin from Bend were trained on the materials in January, and have been offering trainings and technical assistance to employers and advocates across the state since.

Trained community partners are available to assist employers in the following areas:

  • Portland
  • Corvallis
  • Grants Pass
  • Newport/Lincoln City
  • Bend
  • Umatilla/Morrow County
  • Malheur County

To request a training in your community, or technical assistance to implement a lactation program, contact: Amelia Psmythe, BCO Director | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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