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EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. EO -99-10 FOR EMPLOYEE BREASTFEEDING WHEREAS, extensive research shows diverse and compelling advantages to infants, mothers and families from breastfeeding and the use of human milk for infant feeding; WHEREAS, these advantages include health, nutritional, immunologic, developmental, psychological, social, economic and environmental benefits; WHEREAS, epidemiological research indicates that breastfeeding and feeding infants with human milk decreases the incidence of a number of childhood diseases, ailments, and syndromes. Breastfeeding and feeding with human milk also entails significant health benefits for mothers; WHEREAS, increasing the rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration is a national health objective, and one of the goals of Healthy People 2000, a national prevention initiative to improve the health of all Americans; WHEREAS, the percentage of women currently electing to breast feed their babies is still below levels reported in the mid-1980s, and is far below the Healthy Project 2000 goal; WHEREAS, multiple obstacles reduce the number of mothers who continue breastfeeding after returning to work. Such obstacles include finding an adequate place for feeding or expressing milk, finding the time or flexibility to feed or express milk during working hours, using workspace to store milk, and general concerns about the social acceptability of feeding or expressing milk within the workplace; WHEREAS, making state workplaces supportive for nursing mothers we will reap many benefits including: less employee turnover, reduced absenteeism, lower health care costs. And, we will be making an investment in the health of Oregon children and sending a clear message to our employees that they and their families are important by doing so; WHEREAS, most employers are sympathetic to the needs of nursing mothers, and are very supportive of their employees when breastfeeding concerns are brought to their attention. However, employees must be encouraged to discuss their needs with employers; and WHEREAS, the Oregon Health Services has not only achieved breastfeeding friendly environment for its employees but has also taken the lead in developing resource materials to assist all employers in establishing breastfeeding friendly policies in the workplace. THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED: State agencies shall take measures to ensure that all State of Oregon employees shall be provided with an adequate location for the expression of milk or breastfeeding. Specifically, state agencies shall make reasonable efforts to provide a room or other location in close proximity to work areas, other than a restroom, where an employee can breastfeed her child or express her milk in privacy. State agencies shall provide reasonable unpaid rest periods each day to employees who choose to breastfeed or express milk for their children. State agencies shall work with employees to maximize flexibility regarding implementation of this Order, including the appropriate amount of time employees are allowed to express milk or breastfeed. All state agencies shall obtain the breastfeeding Friendly Employer Resource Packet from, the Oregon Health Services and move as quickly as possible to become eligible for the Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Certificate issued by the Health Services. Done at Salem, Oregon, this 24th day of June, 1999. Governor John Kitzhaber |
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