Page 1272 - Week 04 - Thursday, 4 May 2006
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This document reflects the ACT Government’s commitment to commitments to ensure equality of opportunity, the elimination for discrimination and the promotion of family and work balance in all of Canberra’s workplaces. This policy emphasized the basic facts that all women have the right to breastfeed in the workplace if they choose, and that employers have an obligation to facilitate the ability of women to do this. The policy notes that in meeting this obligation, employers can show their commitment to breastfeeding by applying for accreditation from the Australian Breastfeeding Association.
In October 2005, Chief Minister’s Department released a policy directive to assist ACT Government agencies in undertaking work on balancing work and life in the ACT Public Service. Within the focus on Family Friendly Initiatives, the policy recognised that upon return to work many staff may wish to continue to breastfeed, but may feel that it is not possible due lack of privacy and workplace support. Accordingly, agencies are encouraged to ensure that breastfeeding mothers are able to do so by providing time and space for the purpose within the workplace.
In support of this important aspect of work and life balance, under the ACT Public Service Certified Agreement Template 2004 – 2007, significant sized agencies are required to establish and maintain a room for nursing mothers as well as allow up to one hour paid lactation break per day or shift.
Currently, ACT Health employees are entitled to a range of facilities and supports to enable them to combine continuing breastfeeding with their employment. This includes up to one hour paid lactation break per day or shift for breastfeeding or to express breast milk; access to a nursing room equipped with a clean refrigerator, sink and a comfortable chair; and guidelines ensuring access, privacy and hygiene standards for the nursing room.
ACT Health has 12 dedicated breastfeeding facilities for staff throughout it’s diverse premises and has applied for accreditation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace.
Breastfeeding is one of the strategic areas of focus within the Health Action Plan 2002. ACT Health is committed to supporting policies and programs that promote and support breastfeeding including supporting breastfeeding education and support activities through the hospitals and child and maternal health services.
A number of services, information, advice and education are provided to support breastfeeding and early childhood parenting in the community. This includes Breastfeeding Advice and Support, a service which provides information, strategies and skills to promote breastfeeding in the community, home visits by Maternal and Child Health nurses, health checks through Community Health child health clinics and specialised feeding services; including Day Stay services and the Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre.
Public breastfeeding facilities are available at each of the following health clinics:
Calwell, Charnwood, Chisholm, Dickson, Florey, Isabella Plains, Kaleen, Lanyon, Mount Neighbour, Narrabundah, Ngunnawal and Weston.
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