• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Family

This new mom shared her manager's response to her plan to pump at work and it's what all women want

1:01
Ken Richardson
Inside a 'Make the Breast Pump Not Suck Hackathon'
Ashley Freehan
ByNicole Pelletiere
January 25, 2019, 7:51 PM

A first-time mom who's reaching the end of maternity leave has shared the most refreshing email from her manager after she told him she planned to pump upon returning to the office.

Erin Freehan of Phoenix, Arizona, posted the message from her boss on Reddit Tuesday, where it garnered plenty of comments from women applauding the man for his support.

Freehan, a project and change manager at real estate property management company Progress Residential, told "Good Morning America" that she recently reached out to her manager and reminded him that she'd be returning to work on Feb. 4. She also laid out a proposed pumping schedule for his awareness.

Here was his reply:

"Yes, whatever you need to do to be successful here, I am supportive. I think it would be helpful to block your calendar or the times that you will be unavailable as I (or others) may inadvertently schedule something over these times. And nothing here is so crucial that you should not take care of yourself so please let me know if there's anything else that we need to discuss."

Freehan said she posted the email on Reddit to share something positive with other working parents.

"I wanted to give other moms hope that they could get support from their managers [as well]," Freehan said. "I was super happy that he was supportive of my choice to continue to breastfeed."

Erin Freehan, a mom of one from Phoenix shared on Reddit an email she received from her manager about pumping at work.
Erin Freehan/Reddit

Patrick Murphy, Freehan's manager and a director of project and change management at the company, told "GMA" that he had no idea she posted his email on Reddit.

Editor’s Picks

Meteorologist wears her 1-year-old while reporting weather forecast

  • Oct 10, 2018

Mom undergoing chemo asks moms on social media for breast milk donations

  • Jan 18, 2019

Mom attempts world record for fastest 10K with a double stroller

  • Jan 15, 2019

"The first thing that came to mind was, 'How could I be as helpful as possible when she was trying to figure this all out?'" said Murphy, a dad of two. "To me, it's still kind of unfortunate that people aren't as empathetic."

Fellow moms commented on Freehan's post. Many wished they had managers like Murphy, saying that they are either denied time to pump or are forced to pump in restrooms.

A recent report from the Center for WorkLife Law at the University of California, Hastings College of Law found that two-thirds of alleged breastfeeding discrimination cases led to employees losing their job.

The federal Break Time for Nursing Mothers law requires employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to provide basic accommodations for breastfeeding mothers at work. This includes time for women to express milk within a private space that is not a bathroom each time they need to pump — bathrooms are not a sanitary place to handle food for babies or anyone else.

The Center for WorkLife Law said breastfeeding workers have rights, but all of those rights vary by state. Check the laws in your state by visitng the Center'swebsite.

Murphy said his advice to fellow managers is to put yourself in your employee's shoes and try to make their transition as smooth as you can.

Editor’s Picks

Meteorologist wears her 1-year-old while reporting weather forecast

  • Oct 10, 2018

Mom undergoing chemo asks moms on social media for breast milk donations

  • Jan 18, 2019

Mom attempts world record for fastest 10K with a double stroller

  • Jan 15, 2019

Up Next in Family—

Bruce Willis' wife Emma Heming says she feels 'profoundly sad' on Father's Day

June 15, 2025

Over 18,000 Bugaboo high chairs voluntarily recalled due to potential fall hazard

June 13, 2025

New car seat regulations go into effect next year: What parents should know

June 13, 2025

Christie Brinkley opens up about raising kids in the spotlight: 'The toughest'

June 11, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News