AUDI Blackstock’s son took to breastfeeding right away. At 29 weeks, Marques already weighs more than 22 pounds and is “an active and inquisitive child”, according to his mother.

But about four weeks ago she had to return to work. Luckily, Blackstock is an assistant accountant at Nestlé Jamaica Limited where there are facilities in place to support expressing breast milk for her son.

She is thankful.

According to a release from the nutrition, health and wellness company, it promotes gender balance in the workplace. In fact, Nestlé Jamaica recently embarked on a digital campaign for World Breastfeeding Week to highlight the importance of breastfeeding in the workplace, with male employees showing support for their female co-workers.

This is just one of a number of initiatives that have been introduced to promote gender balance among employees.

According to David Heath, Nestlé Jamaica human resources business partner: “Our employees appreciate the efforts. Audi has worked with Nestlé for 13 years and it’s important that she can access a lactation room with the necessary furnishing and equipment to help her transition back to work.”

“I was initially nervous about the time it took out of the day to breastfeed and not miss important pieces of my job each day,” Blackstock said. “I never wanted someone to think that I’m taking a break or that I’m missing out on work.”

But according to Country Manager Daniel Caron: “At Nestlé the bigger goal, of which breastfeeding is a part, has to do with diversity and specifically gender balance in the workplace. It is about fostering a workplace environment where diverse needs are recognised and facilitated.

“Some of our actions to support a gender-balanced workplace, which accommodates the needs of both men and women, include: 14 weeks paid maternity leave, one week paid paternity leave; flexible working hours; a fully furnished lactation room; and mandatory gender balance training for all employees,” Heath shared.

“It takes the support of various segments in society to help our women after giving birth: Immediate and extended family, neighbours, managers, and co-workers,” he continued. “Creating that environment to make the transition smoother and easier is a part of the supportive and caring work environment that we seek to create at Nestlé Jamaica.