ABU DHABI // Employers are stepping up to provide working mothers with nursing-friendly facilities that allow women a comfortable private space for breast pumping.
Apco Worldwide involved staff in designing a nursing room after an employee, a mother, carried out a survey on the issue.
“As a woman-owned company with a high female employee ratio, it was important that we offered such an environment,” said Abier Kadom, the company’s office manager and managing director’s executive assistant. “We incorporated suggestions and got mothers involved in decorating the space .”
Magdalena Stepien, an associate director at the company who is expecting a baby, said she was relieved that she would come back to a breast-pumping friendly environment, a vast change from the situation after her first baby.
“The choice really was between the not very hygienic public restroom or one of the conference rooms, which is not very private.
“I strongly believe that every employer should consider providing a room like this,” added the German national. Her colleague Anushka Kadam, also a mother-to-be, said the nursing room gives her “great sense of reassurance”.
“Now, I know I don’t have to worry about looking for a hygienic environment in which I can pump and store breastmilk,” said the consultant from India.
Another company, Olive Group, responded to one mother’s request for such a room.
“We installed a lock on the door of a small meeting room and had a curtain in place so nursing mothers could utilise the room,” said Dana Fakhra from human resources.
The goal was to ensure that women returned to work after pregnancy.
Ranya Satish, 29, from India, said she joined Olive Group while she was breastfeeding her three-month-old baby.
On her first day she was introduced to the room, which she described as “very private and comfortable”.
hdajani@thenational.ae
