Perspectives of managers toward workplace breastfeeding support in the state of Michigan

J Hum Lact. 2011 May;27(2):138-46. doi: 10.1177/0890334410391908. Epub 2011 Mar 9.

Abstract

Managers' attitudes influence female employees' perceptions of workplace breastfeeding support. Five focus groups were conducted with managers in the state of Michigan (N = 25) to assess their attitudes toward supporting breastfeeding. All focus group discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed for themes. Participants supported efforts by managers and companies to assist breastfeeding employees, but the extent of accommodations they supported varied. Most participants reported no company breastfeeding policy or were unaware of their company having one and showed mixed attitudes about needing a policy. Participants acknowledged the potential for lower productivity and coworker jealousy toward time for breastfeeding or expressing milk but believed that benefits of support included employee recruitment and retention. Participants demonstrated some understanding of breastfeeding benefits. They identified barriers and facilitators for breastfeeding support at both the organizational and individual levels. Results of this study will be used for instrument development to measure managers' attitudes toward supporting breastfeeding.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Administrative Personnel / psychology
  • Administrative Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Breast Feeding / psychology
  • Breast Feeding / statistics & numerical data*
  • Employment / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Humans
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Male
  • Michigan
  • Middle Aged
  • Organizational Culture
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women, Working / statistics & numerical data
  • Workplace / organization & administration*
  • Young Adult