Dep's Lactation Room Policy Analysis

Upon return from maternity leave, a female colleague submitted a reasonable accommodation request for a space. Her experience highlighted several areas in which DEP’s policy can be expanded. When the employee submitted the request, she was contacted by a male EEO representative to collect needed medical documentation. She later reported discomfort with discussing this type of accommodation with a male colleague. Additionally, she also conveyed concern regarding the lack of confidentiality documentation and questioned if her medical records were truly confidential without a signed agreement. Lastly, she expressed distress with the unpaid leave clause of the policy as she experienced financial hardship with increased child costs for having to stay late to meet required hours. …show more content…
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) interpretation of Section 206-c increases the difficulty in which a workplace must provide accommodation for a nursing woman.

The Development of lactation legislation

Prior to the early 2000’s, employers …show more content…
Emily Lloyds position of the commissioner of DEP is highly influential and is a mayoral appointment. The mayors current policies regarding lactation room accommodations states that the city will take creative measures to increase breast feeding by 2020. With that goal in mind, Emily’s decision to expand the agency’s lactation program would be supported by city hall. Martha’s role as the Director of Equal Opportunity (EEO) within DEP is also crucial to policy changes for accommodations due to their role of processing claims and