80Title
Recommendation to Provide Direction to City Staff on Enhancing Access to Lactation Facilities. (Human Resources 2510)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On March 19, 2019, the City Council directed the City Manager to create breastfeeding locations, baby changing stations and gender neutral bathrooms. Staff have now installed six baby changing stations at City Hall; one in each restroom. City staff are in the process of evaluating installation at other City facilities. All City single stall restrooms now have gender neutral signs.
Staff are now seeking direction on enhancement to current City lactation facilities.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to Labor Code 1031 every employer, including the state and any political subdivision, must make reasonable efforts to provide an employee with the use of a room or other location, other than a toilet stall, in close proximity to the employee's work area, for the employee to express milk in private. The room or location may include the place where the employee normally works if it, otherwise, meets the requirements of the labor code.
The City currently uses existing conference rooms and locker rooms in order to ensure compliance with the labor code. Both Alameda Municipal Power and the Police department have locker rooms that provide privacy for employees and are separate from toilet stalls. City Hall, City Hall West, the Library, the Fire Department and Recreation and Parks Administration all have conference rooms or other rooms that have been used as a lactation space.
DISCUSSION
While the City complies with Labor Code 1031, the City does not have any permanent lactation locations. Staff are now looking for direction from City Council on whether or not there should be a designated space at City Hall or other City facilities.
While the City does not keep statistics on the number of employees who have requested lactation accommodations, 13 employees have taken maternity leave since 2015. The chart below shows maternity leaves by year and employee work locations.
Because of space constraints it would be difficult to dedicate a space as a lactation room at any other City facility. The only exception would be City Hall West that has some vacant rooms.
However, the City does have the option of purchasing pods that are set up as lactation rooms. These pods meet all legal requirements and would provide a designated lactation space. These pods are all-in-one lactation solutions for offices and public spaces. Pods can be located and unlocked using a free app.
While the City has multiple locations, City Hall or the Main Library would be the best location for a permanent pod. The pod does need to be located inside the facility and most City facilities would not have space to place the pod. The dimensions of the pod are 7.3 feet wide, 3.7 feet deep and 7.3 feet tall. The picture below provides an illustration of where a pod could be located at City Hall.
Staff have recently drafted a new Lactation Accommodation policy. This policy would be distributed to new hires and to employees taking maternity leave. This policy would ensure City employees are aware of the City lactation facilities. Also, in addition to listing the legal requirements for lactation facilities, this policy states the space must have an electrical outlet, be clean and provide comfortable seating.
ALTERNATIVES
1. The City continues to use existing facilities, but ensures all employees are aware of lactation accommodations by providing the Lactation Accommodation Policy at time of hire and to all employees requesting maternity leave.
2. The City continues to use existing facilities with the exception of City Hall. A pod would be purchased and placed in the lobby of City Hall. The cost of the pod including set-up is estimated at $21,000.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
If a pod is purchased the cost, including installation, is estimated at $21,000. The City Manager’s contingency account would cover the purchase cost.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is in conformance with the Alameda Municipal Code and all policy documents.
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no climate impacts associated with this resolution.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council to provide staff with direction on City lactation facilities.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager is seeking direction from the City Council on which option the Council prefers regarding the providing lactation facilities in City facilities.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Bronstein, Human Resource Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director