Encourage Equity During October’s National Work & Family Month

Did you know that 37% of new parents leave their employer? 3 in 4 of them will stay in the workforce but go to a different employer.

October is National Work and Family Month, and in honor of this holiday, we’re sharing ways employers can encourage more equitable practices for working parents in their organizations.

Why does it matter?

We all have been hearing that the workforce is burnt out in the wake of the pandemic, with employees going back into the office, lack of accessible childcare, blurred lines between home and work, and the rising cost of living. National Work and Family Month was established in 2010 as a reminder to all of us, especially working caregivers, their families, and their employers, that while we have made great strides as a nation to adopt flexible policies in the workplace, there’s more we can do. As the president stated, “Because at the end of the day, attracting and retaining employees who are more productive and engaged through flexible workplace policies is not just good for business or for our economy - it’s good for our families and our future”.

What Can Employers Do?

1. Create equitable practices that enable healthy work-life experiences for families.

2. Ensure your diversity and inclusion investments include caregivers.

3. Bring to light the challenges preventing families - especially working mothers - from successful career growth. Listen to your employees. Tap into employee resource groups if you have them.

4. Find solutions that directly address your employees’ needs. Pilot different programs to see what works best for your workplace.

5. Review work-from-home practices and change policies that do not encourage employees to have a sustainable work-life balance:

   -minimize meetings during standard lunch breaks to encourage employees to take a lunchbreak

   -ensuring employees have time between meetings to transition, stand, or attend to daily tasks

   -enhance benefits such as in-home childcare, in-home fitness subscriptions, and in-home mental health and wellness programs

Want to learn more way to ensure your diversity and inclusion investments include working parents and allow for a harmonious lifestyle?

1. Download our Manager Toolkit that can be shared with your workforce.

2. Schedule a personalized demo.