Mayor Sarno, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Gee, HR Director Mahoney and PBRM Director Sullivan Announce Parental Leave Lactation Room for City Hall Employees
Springfield, MA – Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee, Human Resources and Labor Relations (HR) Director Attorney William Mahoney and Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management (PBRM) Director Patrick Sullivan announced today the creation of the parental leave lactation room in City Hall for city employees.
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee brought to the Mayor’s attention the need for City Hall to have a dedicated location where city employees can go to address their parental and lactation needs. In response, and pursuant to federal and Massachusetts law that allows employees time to care for their newborns, adoption or placement of a child, under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act (MMLA), Mayor Sarno directed PBRM Director Patrick Sullivan and HR Director William Mahoney to establish a dedicated room in City Hall where city employees can take the time to privately take care of their lactation needs in a respectful and comfortable fashion.
Mayor Sarno states, “I want to thank Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Attorney Talia Gee for bringing this matter to my attention. We wanted to create a safe and comfortable space where we could accommodate the needs of new parents so that they have the privacy they need. Special thanks to Human Resources and Labor Relations Director Attorney Bill Mahoney, PBRM Director Patrick Sullivan, City Hall Facility Manager Al Rodriguez and our dedicated city team for working together to create this special and important room here in City Hall for our employees. My administration recognizes the importance of breastfeeding and fully supports our employees as they care for their little bundles of joy. This parental leave lactation room will allow our employees to take the time they need, in a private setting if necessary, to care for their newest family members.”
The new parental leave lactation room is available at City Hall for city employees and includes all the amenities needed. Employees needing to use the room will notify and coordinate with their supervisor and the Human Resources Department.