**Amazon Bars Breastfeeding Mother from Business Course Due to Child Policy**
In a recent incident that has sparked discussions about workplace inclusivity, Rachel Bews, a breastfeeding mother, was barred from attending a business course hosted by Amazon at its fulfillment center in Dunfermline, Scotland. The situation arose when Bews informed Amazon a week prior to the event that she would need to bring her 20-week-old baby with her due to her breastfeeding needs.
However, upon her arrival, Bews received a phone call while en route to the event, informing her that children under the age of six are not permitted on Amazon's warehouse sites. Bews expressed her disappointment, stating that the policy was not clearly communicated before her travel, leading to her exclusion from the in-person portion of the course.
Amazon acknowledged the oversight, issuing a statement that read, "We sincerely apologise to Ms Bews that our site access policy was not communicated clearly before she travelled. That should not have happened, and we understand her frustration." The company clarified that the restriction on children is a long-standing health and safety policy applicable to all visitors and employees. They also mentioned that they are reviewing their communication processes to prevent similar situations in the future.
Despite the setback, Bews noted that there was a lactation room available at the event, which could have facilitated her needs. However, she had not prepared for this option, lacking the necessary sterilized bottles and equipment for expressing milk. Bews pointed out that not all breastfed infants can transition to bottle feeding, making her situation more complex.
In an interview with the BBC's The World Tonight, Bews emphasized the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in business events. "It's a challenging thing becoming a new mum, and being in business is a big part of my identity, so having access to these same opportunities is really important for me and a lot of other working and professional mums out there," she stated.
Although she was offered the chance to continue with the online segment of the six-week course, Bews lamented the missed opportunities for networking and building connections that typically arise during in-person interactions. "The in-person, face-to-face connections you make over coffee, the people you meet over lunch – there's connections I could have made to maybe help my business," she added.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges that working mothers face in balancing their professional aspirations with the demands of motherhood. The NHS advises women returning to work after childbirth to communicate their breastfeeding status to their employers to facilitate a supportive environment.
As discussions around workplace policies and inclusivity continue, Bews' experience serves as a reminder of the need for organizations to consider the diverse needs of their employees and participants in professional development programs.