Supporting working parents isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business.
For employers in the UK, offering practical and emotional support for breastfeeding employees is increasingly becoming a strategic priority. And it’s not just about ticking the CSR or DE&I box. The real cost of failing to support mothers returning from maternity leave is quietly damaging retention, reputation, and bottom lines.
Recent tribunal cases have demonstrated how lack of compliance with breastfeeding regulations can lead to serious legal consequences. In one high-profile example, an NHS Trust was ordered to pay £90,000 in damages for not providing a private, hygienic space for expressing milk. Another tribunal involving EasyJet ruled that their failure to accommodate breastfeeding employees amounted to indirect discrimination.
But even when things don’t escalate to court, the costs are real. A disengaged or unsupported returning employee is more likely to leave—costing employers tens of thousands in recruitment, training, and lost productivity. According to CIPD, replacing an employee can cost between £20,000 and £30,000. Over the course of a year, even one maternity leaver failing to return can be a significant financial loss.
FAB’s new solution makes it easy for HR teams to act.The Certified Breastfeeding Friendly Employers Package is the UK’s first structured training programme designed to help organisations create compliant, inclusive and supportive environments for breastfeeding employees. The six-week programme offers CPD-accredited training, policy guidance, legal insights, and real-world implementation tools. It helps organisations ensure every line manager knows how to support a breastfeeding employee—starting from the moment pregnancy is disclosed.
By investing in breastfeeding support at work, employers improve retention, reduce legal risk, and strengthen internal wellbeing and DE&I strategies. And they show their people they genuinely care.
Find out how your organisation can lead the way in breastfeeding-friendly practice.Learn more about the FAB Certified Breastfeeding Friendly Employers Package here.
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