Amazon has apologized to Rachel Bews, a breastfeeding mother who was barred from attending an in-person business course at an Amazon warehouse in Dunfermline, Scotland. Bews stated she had informed Amazon a week in advance that she would need to bring her 20-week-old baby due to breastfeeding.
However, on the day of the event, she was informed while en route that children under six are not permitted on Amazon fulfillment center sites. This is a long-standing health and safety policy that applies to all visitors and employees, according to Amazon. The company acknowledged that its site access policy was not clearly communicated to Ms. Bews before she traveled and that they are reviewing their communication processes.
Bews expressed her frustration, noting that while a lactation room was available at the event, she had not prepared the necessary equipment for expressing milk, as not all breastfed infants will take a bottle. She believes that events should be more considerate of accessibility and inclusivity for all needs.
Bews was offered to continue with the online portion of the six-week course but felt she missed out on crucial networking opportunities, including connections made during informal settings like coffee breaks and lunches, which could have benefited her business.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK advises that women returning to work or education after having a baby can continue breastfeeding and should inform their employer before their first day back. The NHS emphasizes that it is entirely possible for many women to continue breastfeeding while working.