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I was very worried that her needs would not be met. I needed lots of reassurance.” “Why couldn’t we develop some sort of mentoring program?” asked Ben. “I’ve often tried to provide information to friends about the FMLA or day care options, but I can’t really provide the emotional support; [however,] some can.” At this point, Rosy, one of the young- est employees, who had recently been hired as the receptionist, could not con- tain herself. She nearly jumped out of her chair to tell the group that when she lived in Pennsylvania, she had volunteered for the Capital Area Early Childhood Insti- tute.4
It was a community-based initia-
tive to provide training and information for new parents. In addition to helping parents find specific information about breastfeeding and child care, as well as rights under the FMLA, the goal was to foster positive parenting skills. I’d be glad to get some of their resources if we decide to start a program here,” she said. “I don’t think we need a parenting education program here. We need more of a buddy system—just someone who is willing to listen to a new parent’s con- cerns and provide a little advice,” said Doris. “I had a neighbor who helped me. She was a mature mom and was great with her advice as well as reassurance. She advised me to do things like take my baby to the day care center before I returned to work, so I would be able to linger and help the baby adjust. She taught me to be a list maker. I got so that I had Post-it reminders all over the house! I learned to plan my morning schedule and to consolidate my work and home calendars—that sort of thing.” Tom was adding to the list: Emotional support Mentoring Buddy program He said, “I also want to add quickly a couple of wonderful benefits not men- tioned, which Michael told me about before the meeting. These are available to his wife at Go Go.” He added to the list: Transportation to and from work Take-home meals
Trends magazine, September 2011
Continuing, he said, “I’ve been doing a little research about this, and I found an organization called Lifespeak, Inc.5
that helps employees manage the
demands of personal and professional lives. It might be something to look into. Ellen Galinsky’s organization, Families and Work Institute, is another power- house of research and information about family-friendly programs. There are also Employee Assistance Programs [EPAs]6 that many small businesses offer by contracting with a local social service or mental health agency. They help employ- ees deal with personal problems that might have an adverse impact on their work or well-being. That might include short-term assistance for new parents in transitioning back to the workplace.” He added to the list: Lifespeak, Inc. Families and Work Institute EPAs Tammy was wide-eyed. She could
hardly believe that workplace time was being devoted to thinking about how to help parents adjust. She had to speak up: “I’m not comfortable with bringing fam- ily issues into the workplace, and I don’t think it is the business of the workplace to meddle in family problems.” The energy in the room seemed to
increase. Ben joined in, “We need to be practical. Let’s face it. It’s not good business to lose well-trained employ- ees, and it’s disruptive when working parents have to stay home with a sick child because they have no alternative. We need to look into real solutions that will enable us, as Tom said, to attract and retain the best—and to keep our services running smoothly. Tom added another item to his list: Child care for sick children “I have one simple suggestion that
I want to add,” he said, and that is an annual ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.’ It’s sponsored by the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation, and I think it’s easy to organize. I’m per- sonally eager to bring my sons in to see what kinds of veterinary careers there are.”
It’s not good business to lose well-trained employees, and it’s disruptive when working parents have to stay home with a sick child because they have no alternative.
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