ACN - Accommodations for Nursing Related Activities
- Statement of Purpose
The District provides a supportive environment as to time and place for employees to engage in nursing related activities. Subject to the terms and exceptions set forth in this policy, the District will accommodate the needs of those engaged in “nursing related activities” by providing reasonable times and suitable spaces for individuals engaged in nursing related activities during work hours. “Nursing related activities,” for purposes of this policy, will include the expression of milk by manual or mechanical means.
The District will not discriminate against individuals engaged in nursing related activities as provided in this policy, and will make reasonable efforts to assist individuals engaged in nursing related activities in meeting their infant feeding goals while at work or school.
- Accommodation Notice and Plans.
Prior to the need for nursing accommodations, individuals anticipating the need to engage in nursing related activities should contact the Director of Human Resources to create a nursing accommodation plan. The District will endeavor to meet the time and space needs of each individual engaged in nursing related activities. However, when accommodations will create undue hardship to the operations of the school/workplace, the Director of Human Resources will work with the individual engaged in nursing related activities to determine whether the District may make other acceptable accommodations. Such other accommodations could include a change in work/class assignments, or schedules. When acceptable accommodations are unattainable, the Director of Human Resources, working with the building principal or other administrator working with the individual engaging in nursing related activities, shall request a meeting with the Superintendent to determine if any additional accommodation may be provided.
Upon the individual engaging in nursing related activities request, or at least every three months from the implementation of the nursing accommodation plan, the Director of Human Resources will review, and if necessary, revise the plan, with adjustments made as nursing needs change.
- Reasonable Time to Engage in Nursing Related Activities during the School Day.
Absent undue hardship or other accommodations as established under Section B above, an individual engaging in nursing related activities will have a minimum of three opportunities (“nursing period”) during a work or school day. The nursing accommodation plan will identify the scheduled time for these nursing periods. Any identification of the nursing periods within the accommodation should consider the potential for flexibility in the placement of the nursing period as appropriate and practicable
Individuals engaging in nursing related activities shall not be docked pay for the time of their absences associated with use of nursing periods identified within the District approved nursing accommodation plan. Individuals engaged in nursing related activities will not be required to “make up” time associated with their absence from assigned duties or assignment relating to their use of nursing periods within their District approved nursing accommodation plan.
- Suitable Private Areas for Nursing Related Activities.
The District will provide individuals engaging in nursing related activities with a private place, other than a bathroom, in each school district building in which the individual spends their working or school day. The nursing area:
- May be temporary or permanent.
- Shall be shielded from view and free from intrusion by other persons, including without limitation, other staff or students;
- Shall be within a reasonable walking distance to the individual’s work-station or classroom, unless otherwise agreed to by the individual;
- Have an electrical outlet and a chair;
- Have a sink with running water if feasible, or be in proximity to one;
- Have a refrigerator for breast milk storage, if feasible, or be in proximity to one; and
- Shall be cleaned regularly by District staff assigned to that duty.
- Nursing Individual’s Responsibilities.
Those engaged in nursing related activities will:
- Provide the District Human Resources Director with advance notice of the need for a nursing accommodation plan, preferably prior to their return to school following the birth of the child, to allow school administrators the opportunity to establish a location and work out scheduling issues within a nursing accommodation plan.
- Maintain the cleanliness of the nursing area by wiping down surfaces with District “use in school approved” antibacterial wipes or cleaning products
- Provide their own supplies for engaging in nursing related activities as necessary.
- Prohibited conduct.
The District prohibits any intentional act that violates an individual engaging in nursing related activities privacy, aims to frustrate their intentions to use the nursing facilities, or constitutes their harassment because of their nursing related activity needs, or breastfeeding status. The District will review and address the aforementioned prohibited conduct through the applicable District policy or code of conduct, and may result in disciplinary consequences. Prohibited conduct, as described above, may also may constitute sexual harassment, resulting in a report to the District Title IX Coordinator.
- Dissemination of District Policy ACN.
This policy shall be printed or summarized in applicable employee handbooks.
See Also
AC - Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity Employment, and Anti-Discrimination Plan
ACAC - Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and Grievance Process
GBEB - Staff Conduct
First Reading: 11/30/23
Second Reading: 12/14/23
Adopted: 12/14/23
Revised: NA