Lactation Policy

Hostos Community College Lactation Policy

In recognition of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding and in compliance with city, state and federal law, Hostos Community College (“Hostos”), supports the rights of those parents choosing to nurse, at school and in the workplace. Hostos is dedicated to making its best efforts to accommodate nursing mothers for break time and private space to express milk on campus.

Hostos will provide its employees reasonable break time for up to three years after they give birth to express milk. An employee may utilize paid break periods to express milk, take an unpaid break period, or make up the time they may need by extending the workday. Hostos will also provide to employees, upon request, a room or other location (other than a bathroom), that is in reasonably close proximity to the work area where they can express milk in privacy and that has nearby access to a sink with running water and paper towels.  The room will be shielded from view and free from intrusion from co-workers and the public. In addition, a refrigerator suitable for breast milk storage shall be in reasonable proximity to such employee’s work area. Students will also have access to a separate lactation room on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hostos has established the following spaces as available lactation rooms:

  • Students: Health Services Office, “A Building” Room A-334c
  • Employees: Human Resources Department, “B-Building” Room B-215

To gain access, students should call the Health Services Office at 718-518-6542 and employees should call Human Resources at 718-518-6650 or send an email to CJoseph@hostos.cuny.edu

A response will be given within a “reasonable” amount of time not to exceed five business days.

It is unlawful to discriminate in any way against an employee who chooses to express milk in the workplace.  Supervisors and co-workers are reminded to respect and be sensitive to employee’s choice to nurse.  Students who exercise their rights to express milk pursuant to these guidelines are also protected from discrimination or retaliation.  Employees and students who wish to make a complaint of discrimination or retaliation should contact the Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator, and ADA/504 Coordinator, Philip Oliveri, Esq. at 718-518-4284.

Responsibilities of Employees

Requests for time off to express milk: Discuss your request with your supervisor. You may request reasonable unpaid break time and/or use your paid breaks or meal times for this purpose. Time used to express milk may be made up at the beginning or end of the workday. Generally, 15-30 minutes three times a day should be sufficient, depending on how far away the location is from your work space.

Responsibilities of Supervisors

Supervisors should grant reasonable requests for unpaid break time and/or the use of paid breaks or mealtimes for lactation. Time used to express milk may be made up at the beginning or end of the day. Generally, approximately of 15-30 minutes three times a day should be sufficient, depending on how far the lactation room is from the employee’s workspace. The employee should be able to tell you what time they will need breaks and how long it will take. Please consult with the Director of Human Resources should any difficulties arise in complying with the mandates of these laws.

Responsibilities of Students

Students will have access to lactation rooms based on availability and on a first-come, first-served basis, and may need to schedule access ahead of time, depending on employee use.  Students are expected to explain the need for any required classroom absences to their instructors, and to work with their instructors to make up any missed work.

Responsibilities of Instructors

Instructors are responsible for complying with reasonable requests from lactating students regarding academic adjustments in accordance with the Procedures for Implementing the CUNY Lactation Room Policy. Instructors should (1) provide students with reasonable time or time away from the classroom to accommodate their lactation schedule; (2) ensure students do not incur an academic penalty for any such breaks they may require; and (3) ensure students have the ability to make up any work missed during these breaks.

For additional information please see:

The CUNY lactation policy:  https://www2.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/legal-affairs/policies-procedures/lactation-guidelines/; and

The CUNY procedures for implementing the policy:
https://www2.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/page-assets/about/administration/offices/ovsa/policies/Memo-Lactation-Room-Policy-and-Procedures-03.18.19-002.pdf