Background
1. The Government has introduced changes to the Sex Discrimination Ordinance to prohibit various forms of conduct, including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, and victimisation on the ground of breastfeeding. The new prohibited ground of discrimination takes effect on 19 June 2021. As per the Ordinance, it is unlawful to discriminate directly or indirectly a female employee who chooses to breastfeed a child or expresses breastmilk in the workplace.
2. The University offers flexibility and support to breastfeeding staff members by providing them with paid lactation breaks and free access to dedicated facilities facilitating breastfeeding. These provisions enable eligible staff members to effectively work on campus while managing to continue breastfeeding.
Provision of Lactation Breaks
1. Female staff members, if needed, will be provided with two 30-minute lactation breaks or an hour in total for each full working day to express breastmilk within a year after delivery. For each half-day work (3.9 hours), one paid 30-minute lactation break will be provided. Special consideration will be required if a staff member would like to extend the lactation break arrangements beyond one year after delivery.
2. Lactation breaks are “paid” working hours and staff members are not expected to replenish for the time used for breastfeeding.
3. Those who would like to take lactation breaks are required to discuss with the respective Heads of Departments (HoDs) and reach an agreement on the frequency and duration of lactation breaks as well as the work arrangements.
4. When scheduling lactation breaks, flexibility should be exercised considering the operational feasibility of respective departments and the personal needs of staff members concerned. There may be variations on the frequency and duration of lactation breaks of individual staff members.
5. Proof of breastfeeding status is not required for taking lactation breaks.
Facilities Facilitating Breastfeeding
1. Dedicated Babycare Rooms for the privacy and comfort of breastfeeding staff members are located at:
- B2-G/F-T2; and
- D3-G/F-T1.
2. Each room contains:
- Chair,
- Table; and
- Electrical socket for operating the breastmilk pumps.
3. Refrigerators are available in pantries at the campus for storing breastmilk.
Equal Opportunities Campus
1. The University is committed to building an equal opportunities campus and has zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment. For enquiries about the Equal Opportunities Policy and other related matters, please contact our Equal Opportunities and Disability Access Officer, Ms LAM Lap Lanna, at 2948 6012 or eodao@eduhk.hk.
Last updated on 14 August 2024