City of Cambridge Participatory Budgeting

Committee: Environment, Health & Safety

Cost: $20,000

Location: City Hall, 3rd floor, Central Square

Short description: Provide an attractive private space where working mothers and community members can breastfeed or pump during the work day. Provision of break time and a private area for nursing or pumping is required by the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Long description: Provide an attractive private space where working and visiting mothers can breastfeed or pump during the work day.

Returning to work after the birth of a child is a big transition. New mothers need private space where they can breastfeed or pump during the day. Bathrooms are not clean or private areas for nursing, and using a coworker’s office or conference room for nursing or pumping can be awkward.

City of Cambridge policy on break time for employees provides flexible work time arrangements and a clean, private space for nursing mothers as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act. These workplace policies on break time are an important part of the City’s employee and family wellness plan. The space would also be available to the community.

Signage can be customized. Door has an “Occupied” lock. Space is easy to clean.

Graphics: Mamava