Policies

Lacationn Acommodation Policy

Policy Purpose

According to NYS Labor Law 206-c, employees have the legal right to take reasonable paid break time to express breast milk in the workplace for up to three years following the birth of a child. This policy provides procedures for requesting and accommodating the expression of breast milk that are compliant with New York State and federal laws.

Persons Affected

Faculty, Staff

Policy Statement

Farmingdale State College is committed to promoting an inclusive, supportive environment for lactating individuals. The College will provide a room or other location for employees to express breast milk that is in close proximity to the work area, not a restroom, well lit, shielded from view, and free from intrusion. These spaces will include a chair, a working surface, electrical outlet, and nearby access to running water, and will be lockable or have privacy signage. Employees will have access to refrigeration for the purposes of storing the expressed milk. Any expressed milk stored in campus refrigeration must be in a labeled and sealed container.

Employees are entitled to 30-minute paid breaks each time there is a reasonable need to express breast milk, in addition to regular breaks and meal times. Employees may combine lactation breaks with regular breaks. Supervisors cannot require employees to make up time or extend their workday due to lactation breaks.

Discrimination or retaliation against anyone for expressing breast milk will not be tolerated. Employees may file complaints with Human Resources or the NYS Department of Labor at 1-888-52-LABOR or NYSDOL@info.labor.ny.gov.

Students who seeking assistance with space for expressing breastmilk should contact the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@farmingdale.edu.

Procedures

1. Employees must notify their supervisor and Human Resources, preferably before returning from leave, if they require a space to express breast milk.
2. Supervisors should engage in cooperative dialogue with employees to determine their needs. Supervisors should then work with Human Resources to identify an appropriate location, or other reasonable accommodation.
3. Requests will be addressed within five business days. If multiple employees need to use the same space for purposes of expressing milk, a schedule will be established by Human Resources.
4. Human Resources will notify employees who work in close proximity to the location that the space cannot be used for other purposes while it is being used to express breast milk.

Related Documents

NYS Labor Law 206-c

U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

CDC Guidelines for Breast Milk Storage

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Responsible Office

Human Resources Department

Policy History

Approval Date: 2/18/2026