Office of Human Resources

Brandeis supports its employees with young families. Nursing individuals are offered adequate break times and private spaces to express milk for their babies.

*Individuals must bring their own breast pumps

Massachusetts Laws: Nursing At Work

The federal PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act protects all nursing employees, but Massachusetts already has a strong workplace lactation accommodation law. The Massachusetts Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (2018) requires employers with six or more employees to provide all breastfeeding employees with reasonable break time and a space (other than a bathroom) to pump. In addition, the law stipulates that the lactation space must include electrical outlets, table, and a place to sit. Read the law: Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2017. 

Dedicated lactation rooms:

• 60 Turner Street 1st floor, space 132-113A
• 51 Sawyer Road 2nd floor, space 160-247
• Goldfarb Library Room 69-41A
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out at the library’s information desk with your Brandeis ID. For reservations, please check the specific Google calendar for the space and book an available time or contact library-lactation@brandeis.edu. You may need to ask for directions after obtaining the key as the room is a little tricky to find. The room can accommodate two individuals at one time. The key should be returned to the information desk after use. The room is equipped with a refrigerator and microwave (for sterilization) with a sink nearby.

• Leo Gerstenzang Library of Science Room 128
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room, contact graduateaffairs@brandeis.edu. The room is located in the science complex through the Student Lounge area and through room 127 accessible with your ID card. Walk through the quiet study area and you will see room 128 on your right. This room can accommodate three people at one time. Kitchen area is next door with access to a refrigerator, microwave (for sterilization) and sink.
• Rabb Graduate Center Room 118
  • This room is kept locked. To access the room a key can be checked out with reservations by contacting pannella@brandeis.edu in the English department. The room is equipped with a refrigerator, a microwave (for sterilization) and numerous electrical outlets with a sink nearby.

External Nursing Support Resources

• La Leche League
• Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition

Child Care Resources

• Find a licensed day care provider within your Massachusetts city or town.
• See Massachusetts' largest summer camp directory.
• Bright Horizons provides back-up child care for dependents of benefits-eligible faculty and staff as well as full-time PhD students. See details about the program.

Lemberg Children’s Center

Quality, dependable child care arrangements are a major consideration when you’re a parent. The Gersh and Sarah Lemberg Children's Center, located directly across from campus, offers employees full- and part-time care for children six weeks to six years. Along with parents and Brandeis students, professional child care providers operate this nonprofit, accredited, licensed day care center, with payment based on income.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. You can reach them at 781-736-2200.

Adult and Elder Care

Bright Horizons provides adult and elder care for dependents of benefits-eligible faculty and staff as well as full-time PhD students. See details about the program.

KGA is Brandeis' Employee Assistance Program provider. KGA offers 24/7 access to a network of experts providing support for mental health, childcare, eldercare, legal, financial issues and more. KGA’s confidential services are available to you and your adult household members, at no cost to you. You do not need to receive benefits through Brandeis to access this resource. To access the Employee Assistance Program, visit the KGA website (login password: brandeis), mobile app, or call 1-800-648-9557.

KGA Resources

• Employee Assistance Program Webinars and Workshops
• Wellness Calendar
• Services Overview Video 
• Summary of Services (pdf)
• MindTide from KGA: Cognitive Behavioral Mobile App

We recognize that there may be times when a staff member experiences a significant and unexpected personal emergency that creates a financial burden or crisis. To assist staff in these cases, the university offers eligible staff an emergency loan program.

View a full list of Financial Wellness Workshops offered by Fidelity and Metro Credit Union.