CBA Publications >> CBA Regulatory Compliance Bulletin >> Vol 2002 No. 2, January 25, 2002

Vol 2002 No. 2, January 25, 2002

Break Time Required for Lactating Employees

A new California law (AB 1025) effective January 1, 2002 requires employers to provide a break time to lactating employees desiring to "express" milk during the work day. The break time must be provided concurrently with a break time already required under existing wage orders or; if not possible, it may be provided in addition to such break time on an unpaid basis. Employers would also be required to provide the use of a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, in close proximity to the employees' work area, in which to express milk in private. The location may include the location where the employee normally works. An employer is exempt from these requirements if its operations would be seriously disrupted by providing such a break. An employer who violates this provision is subject to a $100 civil penalty for each violation. Also, the labor commissioner has authority to issue a citation