Workplace Implementation of Mandated Lactational Breaks: A Comparison of Private and Government Offices in the Philippines

This study assessed and compared the implementation of mandated lactational breaks in private and government offices in Partido District, Camarines Sur, Philippines. A descriptive-comparative research design was employed among 83 working mothers, comprising 47 government employees and 36 private-sector employees selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a validated and pilot-tested researcher-developed questionnaire. Weighted means were used to determine the level of implementation and the factors affecting policy application, while the Kruskal–Wallis test examined sectoral differences at the 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that lactational breaks were implemented in both sectors, although government offices consistently obtained higher ratings in workplace environment and policy awareness, resources and facilities, policy utilization and organizational support, and employee satisfaction and breastfeeding continuity. Resources and facilities received the lowest ratings, particularly in private offices. Workplace constraints, including workload, inadequate time, staffing limitations, and conflicting responsibilities, were the most influential barriers, while cultural and social norms had the least effect. Significant differences were found between government and private offices across all implementation domains (H = 6.94, p = 0.008). The study concludes that legal mandates alone do not ensure uniform implementation. Strengthened facilities, policy communication, flexible scheduling, managerial support, monitoring, and enforcement are necessary to improve lactation-friendly workplace practices.