Recommendation Report

Andrea Kelly
Case 3
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to investigate the wants and needs of a small majority at the
software company. The company is expanding and with this expansion comes new building
plans. This report will include the advantages and disadvantages of adding a dedicated nursing
mothers’ room and a single stall gender neutral bathroom in addition to the standard bathroom
plans in the new office. More businesses are being targeted to support working mothers and this
company should be apart of this movement. The information in this report can be used for the
software company to help them through this transition.

Introduction
The software company should build a nursing mothers room and a gender-neutral bathroom to
help accommodate the working mothers employed at the company. Breastfeeding is important
for the health of both mothers and their babies. It is also a natural process as milk production is a
constant and on-going throughout the day. A nursing room would support a mother’s health,
biological, comfort, and privacy needs.

Methods
1. The software company should conduct a survey to get the feedback of their employees.
2. An analyst should investigate the demographics of the company to see how much of the
work population would benefit from having a nursing mothers’ room as well as a single
stall gender neutral bathroom. Research internally to see how many employees would use
the new additions.
3. Consulate with contractor and company’s budget committee to determine how much the
additions will cost.
a. Calculate how much more the company would have to pay in utilities with
running water and electricity usage in the nursing room. Also include the addition
of a refrigerator, outlets, lockers, comfortable seating, breast pumps, a white noise
machine, a sink, a mirror, and cleaning supplies.
4. Research to be conducted to see how many businesses have made these changes and their
effect on company culture/environment.
5. Investigate policy and laws regarding the addition of a nursing mothers’ room as well as
a single gender-neutral bathroom.
6. Address the possible disadvantages of adding such rooms: i.e., distractions/more frequent
breaks.
7. Compile a company wide policy to help breastfeeding/working mothers.
8. Send a detailed proposal about the desired additions and their advantages to the owners of
the company.
Results
The internal research conducted within the employees would determine the necessity and
urgency of these new additions. It would also determine if the new building budget could handle
an addition of a whole room as well as a private bathroom. The feedback from the employees as
well as company’s who have added a private nursing mothers’ room will determine the usage
and success rate of adding it at the new location.
Some advantages of adding a nursing room would include:
 Lower health care costs
 Less time off taken/absent from work less often
 More likely to return from work faster
 Working mothers will feel supported by company thus increase moral
 More productive/satisfied employees
 Less employee turnover and lower costs in recruiting/training

Conclusion
The software company is considered a small business as it only employs one hundred people.
Although an addition may add to the budget heavily, it will pay off in the long run. There are
many benefits to adding these rooms into the new office building at the software company. It is a
great investment that supports the needs of their employees which overall will increase the
success rate at the company. By including a gender-neutral bathroom, company culture and
diversity will be increased. Overall, the business will foster an inclusive environment that shows
empathy and compassion to their employees.

Recommendation
 Revise the company policy on lactation and resources for working mothers.
 Revise the company policy on gender neutral bathrooms and supporting this addition.
 Determine the number of participates who would utilize the new additions as well as how
often.
 Decide how long adding these rooms will delay the company from moving locations.
 Research US Labor Laws and US Breastfeeding Committee to gather information on
options and resources to comply with the laws.
 Consult with health programs and women centers to better understand the needs of
working mothers.
It is recommended that the software company build a nursing mothers room as well as a
gender-neutral bathroom into their office space. Although it may delay the project and cause
the company to move locations at a later date, it will benefit its employees greatly. Many
other companies have had great success with these additions, and I foresee this software
company will too.