Mayor's Office of Employee Assistance
Understanding the Working Parents Needs
It’s 9:30 a.m. when Melissa Perkins rushes into the office 45 minutes late. She promised to review some sales figures with you before an important meeting that’s only five minutes away. “It’s been one of those mornings, Bob,” she says Apologetically. “Jennifer was cranky, we got caught in traffic on our way to the child care center and there was no way to call you. Let’s go over those numbers quickly before
the team gets together.”
It’s a safe bet that your workplace includes dozens of men and women just like Melissa Perkins who are struggling to balance work and parenting responsibilities. Today’s families are different from those in the past. More than half of all mothers with children under age 6 are working. And women are returning to work after the birth of a baby sooner than ever before.
Your company’s success depends, in large part, on how effectively it recognizes and addresses the wide variety of challenges facing working parents. More and more employers are using generous work/family benefit packages to attract and retain top workers. Companies and managers who don’t accommodate the needs of working parents may encounter serious problems relating to employee loyalty, turnover, absenteeism
and stress.
What Do Working Parents Need?
Respect, Understanding,
Acknowledgment and Acceptance
Get to know your employees and the wide range of challenges they face. Hundreds of thousands of people in their 30s, 40s and 50s now find themselves squeezed between caring for their children and their elderly parents.
As these members of the “Sandwich Generation”
attempt to balance work and caretaking responsibilities, they frequently give up much-needed personal time in the process. These employees are likely to feel stressed out and lose productivity until they find new
ways to manage their busy lives.
Flexibility and Alternative Work Options
Working parents can thrive with flexible scheduling options that allow them to work part-time, telecommute, share jobs or take leaves of absence. For example, employees who need more personal time around holidays may appreciate the option to make up the work on another day. Be flexible and creative in assisting workers who need to rearrange their schedules.
Resources to Help Them Cope
Employers use a variety of strategies and services to help working parents cope with multiple demands. Some organizations may have Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that are set up to refer employees to child and elder care providers and a wide variety of
other resources, including stress management workshops, books on parenting and personal counselors.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with your organization’s EAP program and other services designed to help your employees manage their work and family obligations. By supporting your employees’ lives outside work, you
may help them be more productive on the job.