So yesterday my boss called me in because he's been hearing from my supervisor I am "never at my desk" and "he can't find me." Never mind that he knows I'm pumping, I've told him that I go three times a day (and usually grab my food/lunch/bathroom at the same time to maximize my time at my desk). We have a work-supported program here so we are allowed half hour pumping breaks. I hardly ever exceed this (and in my twelve years here, I have gone out to lunch maybe 25 total times, and hardly ever use my allotted breaks, so it's not like I'm out wandering around being useless).
My boss seems pretty cool with it, and is fine with the fact that I am in the building and reachable by cell phone. But my supervisor still seems to make obnoxious comments about it all the time. He's also made several comments like "maybe it's time to switch to formula" if I mention the work involved in pumping.
I think it's largely a perception problem - he gets here at 6 AM and I get here at 9:15, so almost half his work day I'm not here as it is (we have flex time, and the latest I can get here is 9:30. But the culture in my group is "early." Unfortunately I'm on daycare dropoff duty and getting here between 6-7, when I was doing it, was killing me and making me useless after a long night of interrupted sleep to breastfeed. sorry. rambling).
Anyway, I am well informed of my rights, and also work in a federal workplace, so I'm pretty secure in everything (and if there is continued problems I have no problem going to my division director about it. Or pumping at my desk. If they want me to be at my desk, fine, but be prepared for the consequences! Give me a blanket and I'm good to go!), but just needed to vent. I was so upset yesterday - I am following all the rules and getting my work done and keeping all my users happy. I am never far, and when there's a question/problem, it's very, very rarely an immediate emergency and I am accessible either way, so it bothers me. And I have a sad.
I know a lot of people have it worse - having to take unpaid breaks or use broom closets, but... meh. wah.