Back on the lactnet, with a new job !
I am still a physician, still a specialist in public health, still seeing
breastfeeding clients. But I am now involved in occupational health 4
days a week ! Half of my work has nothing to do with breastfeeding, but
the other half does. We have a law here stating that the pregnant and
lactating woman has the right to work in a jobsite free of risk to her
pregnancy, the foetus or the breastfeeding infant. I evaluate the risks
on the jobsite for women claiming that right. The employer is very
strongly encouraged to modify the tasks or the jobsite; if (and only if)
he/she is unable to do so, the pregnant/lactating woman goes home,
receiving 90% of her salary as compensation from the board of occupational
health (about the equivalent of OSHA, for our American colleagues).

This program costs a fortune, because most employers don't bother to fix
the workplace and just send the pregnant woman home. The Board is trying
to make this program a little bit more economical by increasing job
reassignment. But breastfeeding causes a problem! About the only reason
why the leave/reassignment is granted is for chemical risks, because of
possible contamination of the milk. Reassignment is extremely rare, and
women go home. One, two months do not raise any questions, but one, two
years ??? So, I have the mandate to produce something on the level of
risk related to milk contamination and risk to the nursing toddler, when
Mom works in an industry using toxic chemical. And it needs to be good
documentation. If I don't do it, somebody else will, and that somebody
might not know much about bf, and might decide that 6 months is enough...
See the issues?
Thank you in advance...

Louise Denhez, M.D., M.P.H
Montreal, Quebec, Canada