Breastfeeding support in the workplace
Find out about supporting breastfeeding in the workplace, including the legal obligations employers have, best practices and workplace policies.
Legal obligations as an employer
If an employee informs you that they are breastfeeding, you must carry out a risk assessment. You should review this regularly, or if circumstances change.
Breastfeeding rarely affects an employee’s ability to perform their duties. But, certain tasks, such as those involving hazardous substances, may need adjustments.
There is no statutory right to time off for breastfeeding, but refusal to accommodate may constitute indirect sex discrimination under the Equality Act 2010 (opens in a new window). More details on employer obligations can be found in the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s guidance (opens in a new window) on the Equality Act 2010.
Employers are required under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 (opens in a new window) to provide “suitable facilities” for breastfeeding employees. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE (opens in a new window). Specifies that these facilities must be clean and private, and that a fridge should be available for milk storage.
Page last reviewed: 26th March 2025
