Babies in the Workplace

content. For many companies, however, extravagant benefit packages just aren't a feasible option in their budget.

   A baby program offers companies an extremely low-cost, low-overhead perk that can build very strong employee loyalty. Increased morale is part of the reason that loyalty improves; if people feel happy and content when they're at work, they're much more likely to stay with their company. A baby program also improves people's perceptions of their employer's commitment to its employees, which can be a strong motivation for staying at a company.

   Debbie Butler, of Valley Credit Union, commented about Valley's baby policy:

   A lot of employees say that the reason
   they're here is they think it's great that we
   offer that kind of benefit to others even
   though they don't take advantage of it.

   The fact that we offer it is really important to
   them.

   Nathan Schmidt said that Schools Financial's baby program is a:

   retention-type benefit to the company as well
   as the employees. Employees note the
   importance of the benefit and that the Credit
   Union understands the needs of mothers
   and employees in the 21st century.
   Especially in Sacramento, we have very
   expensive home prices, and people usually
   need a dual income to purchase a house
   here. We recognize this in our economy and
   this gives employees an option to have a
   family and still afford a nice quality life.

   Kelly Rawe of Schools Financial said:

   Other employers would benefit from
   implementing [baby programs] into a
   business because it definitely creates a
   certain amount of loyalty in employees
   when they're given the opportunity to bring