Communicating the Breastfeeding Policy and/or related procedures Communication Channel Communication Activity Target Audience Key Message Timeframe Responsibility Due Date Date Finalised Intranet Publish ‘Breastfeeding Policy’ and breastfeeding/expressing room location to intranet All staff Launch of policy supporting return to work for mothers who are breastfeeding Implementation Intranet Publish procedure for use of breastfeeding/expressing rooms to intranet All staff Build awareness of the availability of the breastfeeding/expressing rooms Clearly define expectations and responsibilities of users Implementation Email Announcement of new policy and location of breastfeeding/expressing room to all staff via email All staff Highlight the new policy to all staff Implementation Newsletter Announcement of new policy and location of breastfeeding/expressing room to all staff via an article in the newsletter All staff Highlight the new policy to all staff Informal announcement providing further details about room and policy seem personal Implementation Policy/Procedure Display ‘Breastfeeding Policy’ and ‘Procedure for use of Breastfeeding/Expressing Room’ in breastfeeding/ expressing room All staff Provide room users with the information needed to use the room effectively Raise awareness of the accreditation and what it means to employees Ongoing Policy/Procedure Inclusion of breastfeeding policy and facilities in all policies/procedures aimed at assisting new mothers with their return to work All staff Staff on maternity leave Ensure new mothers are familiar with the support and facilities in place Provide educational material and support to new mothers Highlight the benefits of working for a workplace with breastfeeding friendly practices Implementation Mail out Communicate breastfeeding policy and breastfeeding/expressing room location to all staff currently and recently on maternity leave via mail out Staff currently and recently on maternity leave Provide detailed update regarding accreditation Raise awareness of facilities and support available to staff Provide BFW Communication Card with HR contact details Implementation
BFW ‘Supporting Breastfeeding Employees: Checklist for Managers’ Distribute BFW ‘Supporting Breastfeeding Employees: Checklist for Managers’ to managers at all sites Management Assist managers in supporting breastfeeding employees by identifying the key areas of discussion and consideration for maintaining work life balance Assist in reaching an arrangement that suits the needs of the employee and the operational needs of the workplace Provide easy access to documents and resources that will facilitate this process Ongoing Intranet Use BFW logo on staff intranet page to link to breastfeeding related information such as policy and/or procedure for use of breastfeeding/ expressing room All staff Raise awareness that accreditation has been gained Accreditation Policy/Procedure Inclusion of accreditation status and a link to the Breastfeeding Policy in all policies/procedures aimed at assisting new mothers with their return to work All staff Staff on maternity leave Ensure new mothers are familiar with the support and facilities in place Provide educational material and support to new mothers Highlight the benefits of working for an accredited workplace When relevant policies are reviewed next Communicating the existence and location of the Breastfeeding/Expressing Room Communication Channel Communication Activity Target Audience Key Message Timeframe Responsibility Due Date Date Finalised Policy Rooms are referenced in ‘Breastfeeding Policy’ All staff Central location for information Consistency across sites Implementation List of Facilities Details of rooms added to list of available facilities (first aid room, prayer rooms, carers rooms) All staff Details of breastfeeding/expressing rooms listed along with all other workplace provided facilities (e.g. First aid rooms, prayer rooms, carers rooms) Ongoing BFW Sticker Display of BFW sticker on door of breastfeeding/expressing room All staff Raise awareness of the room’s usage Clear indication of use where dual use such as First Aid, prayer room Accreditation
Ongoing communication and development of a breastfeeding friendly workplace culture Communication Channel Communication Activity Target Audience Key Message Timeframe Responsibility Due Date Date Finalised Intranet Updates to breastfeeding policy/procedure published on intranet All staff Highlight changes to breastfeeding policy as they occur Ongoing Induction/ Orientation Inclusion of breastfeeding support in induction or orientation procedure (including building tours) New employees Inform all new employees that the workplace is breastfeeding friendly Establish as cultural norm Highlight breastfeeding policy, support and facilities Ongoing In-house Training Inclusion of relevant legislation in training/presentations All staff Build awareness of rights and responsibilities of all staff Establish as cultural norm Ongoing In-house Training Inclusion of breastfeeding and work health related issues in WHS training All staff Educate staff on the OH&S issues related to inadequate workplace support for breastfeeding employees Ongoing ABA Resources & Promotional Material Supply ABA resources and promotional material in breastfeeding/expressing room Mothers & expectant mothers Support is available from the Australian Breastfeeding Association Ongoing Online ‘Return to Work Webinar’ Provide registration for BFW Return to Work webinar to mothers prior to maternity leave Mothers & expectant mothers Support staff in planning for combining breastfeeding and work Ongoing Social Media Inclusion on social media accounts General public Potential employees Raise awareness of breastfeeding friendly workplace culture Promote and reinforce commitment to family friendly values Highlight point of difference from other workplaces Implementation Job specification Inclusion of responsibilities as BFW contact in job spec of relevant employee BFW contact Ensure responsibilities as person responsible for BFW are clearly communicated Facilitate smooth re-accreditation process Maintain up to date contact details on BFW records Accreditation/ Re-accreditation
Communication Channel Communication Activity Target Audience Key Message Timeframe Responsibility Due Date Date Finalised Newsletter Announcement in staff newsletter when accreditation is gained with background information and links to best contact All staff Promoting accreditation Launching availability of breastfeeding/expressing rooms Reinforcing commitment to work life balance Include link to policy Accreditation Intranet Announcement on homepage of intranet when accreditation is gained All staff Promoting accreditation Launching availability of breastfeeding/expressing rooms Reinforcing commitment to work life balance Include link to policy Accreditation ICT Content Announcement when accreditation is gained using existing ICT displays in reception or lifts All staff General Public • Promoting accreditation • Launching availability of breastfeeding/expressing rooms • Reinforcing commitment to work life balance • Include link to policy Accreditation ICT Content Announcement when accreditation is gained via an organisation wide screen saver or scrolling banner All staff Promoting accreditation Launching availability of breastfeeding/expressing rooms Reinforcing commitment to work life balance Accreditation Email or mail out Communicate accreditation to all staff currently and recently on maternity leave via email or mail out Staff currently and recently on maternity leave Provide detailed update regarding accreditation Raise awareness of facilities and support available to staff Provide HR contact details for breastfeeding matters Accreditation Staff Gathering Announcement of accreditation and presentation of certificate at staff gathering All staff Staff on maternity leave Staff reps Raise awareness of accreditation Tie in with organisational values Accreditation BFWA Certificate Display of certificate in reception or other prominent area All staff General public Promotion of accreditation Inform visitors of organisational values Accreditation BFW Sticker Display BFW sticker on door of breastfeeding/expressing room All staff Promotion of accreditation Inform visitors of organisational values Accreditation BFW Sticker Display of BFW sticker in main reception or in the vicinity of buildings main entry point All staff All visitors Raise awareness of the room’s usage Clear indication of use where dual use such as First Aid, prayer room Accreditation
External Publications Announcement in organisational publications for external audiences General public Investors Shareholders Industry Raise awareness of accreditation Promote and reinforce commitment to family friendly values Include photo from certificate presentation Highlight point of difference from other workplaces Accreditation Social Media Announcement on social media accounts General public Raise awareness of accreditation Promote and reinforce commitment to family friendly values Include photo from certificate presentation Highlight point of difference from other workplaces Accreditation Media Release Issue a media release to local news outlets or trade publications announcing accreditation General public Promote organisation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Highlight commitment to family friendly policies Highlight accessibility of BFW initiative Accreditation BFW Website Submit the organisation’s profile and logo to be published on the BFW website General public Raise awareness of accreditation Establish a presence in the market as a family friendly employer Highlight a point of difference from your competitors Promote organisation as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation