Plain language law

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Employment Relations Act 2000

Breastfeeding facilities and breaks

69Z: Breastfeeding breaks additional to breaks under Part 6D

You could also call this:

“Mums can have extra breaks to feed their babies, on top of their regular work breaks.”

You can take breastfeeding breaks in addition to your regular breaks. These breastfeeding breaks are separate from the breaks you get under Part 6D of the law.

If you and your employer both agree, you can use the same break for both breastfeeding and as your regular break. This means you can combine the two breaks if you want to.

When you use a break for both breastfeeding and as your regular break, you’ll still get paid for it. You’ll get paid the same amount as if you had taken the breaks separately.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM1940665.

Topics:

Work and jobs > Worker rights

Family and relationships > Children and parenting

69Y: Employer's obligation, or

“Employers should provide suitable places and time for workers to breastfeed at work if possible.”

69ZA: Code of employment practice relating to employer's obligation, or

“A guide that explains how bosses should help workers who need to feed their babies”

Part 6C Breastfeeding facilities and breaks

69ZBreastfeeding breaks additional to breaks under Part 6D

Breastfeeding breaks provided under this Part are in addition to breaks an employee is entitled to under Part 6D.
However, if an employee and employer agree, the same break may be taken for the purposes of this Part and Part 6D.
To avoid doubt, a break taken for the purposes of this Part and Part 6D is a paid break to the same extent as it would be if taken separately under Part 6D.

Notes

Section 69Z: inserted, on 1 April 2009, by section 6 of the Employment Relations (Breaks, Infant Feeding, and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 58).