There are so many factors that now inform workplace design decisions; many are supported by legislated requirements for worker health and safety. For instance, the Affordable Care Act amendment to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act mandates that employers (with more than 50 employees) provide private lactation accommodations—not a bathroom—for breastfeeding and pumping mothers for a year after giving birth. Although many employers have incorporated “Mother’s Rooms,” often they are co-opted as “Wellness” or “Health” rooms and then, shared by more people, become inaccessible to mothers needing a place of privacy to pump breast milk for their babies.
To solve this challenge, Mamava in partnership with Steelcase, has brought another innovative option to market.
Born out of an aha moment and a fortuitous introduction to the folks at Steelcase, the Mamava Mini provides an affordable, easy-install lactation option for office settings.
Our discussion with Mamava CEO Sascha Mayer provided not only insight into the development of this product, but informative background information on some of the forces that are pushing employers to provide a range of accommodations for employees.