A working mom of an infant walked into her designated pumping space, ready to pump. What she didn’t expect? A camera staring right back at her.
TikTok creator Ari Vassallo (@arivassallo914) shared the moment in a now-viral video (16M+ views), capturing the pure disbelief of realizing her “private” pumping room wasn’t so private after all.
🫠 “Me just realizing the room I was told to pump in has a camera.”
@arivassallo914 Im blind. And dead. #fyp #foryou #fy #momsoftiktok #breastfeeding #pumpingmom ♬ Originalton – Musicッ
The internet? Absolutely losing it. Some were confused (@amkqq_ .: “What is a pumping room?”). Others were outraged (@ZeroTwo: “This world is not women-friendly”) or just floored that this is even a thing.
The situation has sparked a much bigger conversation: What exactly are the rights of breastfeeding moms at work? And why does the U.S. still make it so hard?
Related: 5 effective ways to talk to your boss about pumping rights at work
What the law actually says
According to New York Labor Law 206-C, employers must provide a private, non-bathroom space for pumping. As of June 2024, the law guarantees:
- A private space, shielded from view
- A functional lock or, for cubicles, a warning sign
- No public access while in use
- Paid 30-minute pumping breaks, in addition to meal breaks
- No limit on the number of breaks
- No requirement to work during pumping time
- Protection to pump for up to three years postpartum
One major issue? The law doesn’t explicitly ban surveillance cameras. While it says the space must be “free from intrusion,” and “shielded from view” it doesn’t specifically address cameras. That means, depending on how an employer interprets the rules, a security camera in a lactation room could technically be allowed—raising serious questions about privacy and workplace protections.
📌 What to do if this happens to you:
- Get it in writing—document who told you to pump there.
- Gather receipts—take photos, note dates, and collect evidence.
- Know your rights—New York law is clear about privacy, even if it doesn’t spell out every detail.
Ari wasn’t just mad about the camera—she was mad about the broader issue of how the U.S. treats working moms. She shared in another video:
💬 “I have coworkers from other countries who say they have whole maternity wings—with couches, nursing spaces, and real accommodations. And here I am… in a glorified storage closet with a security cam.”
She’s not wrong. Compared to other developed nations, the U.S. is notoriously behind when it comes to supporting new moms. Limited maternity leave, lack of paid childcare, and, apparently, pumping rooms with security cameras.
Working moms deserve better. Full stop. More than a “room with a lock”—they deserve actual privacy, real support, and functional policies that don’t feel like an afterthought.
And if your boss tells you to pump in a room with a camera? Maybe send them this article.
Related: Pumping at work is work
