Babies in the Workplace

   Kandace Bozarth, also of Schools Financial, said that, "It was a great program; I loved it. It made life so much easier for me." Carolyn Gable commented that the parents who brought in their babies were, "so grateful--it had a big effect on productivity. They were so happy, and they want the best for the company at the same time." Carolyn also pointed out, "If I can tell a new mom to bring her baby to work, it doesn't cost me a dime--and it benefits everyone."

   Jackie Hockaday is a production manager at a marketing firm in Texas and brought her baby to work with her. She explained:

   I have a pretty heavy workload. I was
   worried if I would be able to do it, but I think
   that, as a mother, you're a multitasker to
   begin with. It hasn't been a problem at all.
   I'm actually busier now than before I had

   [my son], but I'm able to keep up with it. I'm
   able to focus on work because I'm not
   worried about my baby.

   Cathy Weatherford at the NAIC explained her perspective that, "So many young parents want balance in their life. They want their families, and they want to bond with their young baby. But they don't want to sacrifice their career or a special project at work during that time." She said that bringing babies to work is "the best of both worlds."

   Even if employees have no intention or opportunity to bring in their own children, just having babies around seemed to make people happier. Susan Matthews commented that Borshoff's baby program
was

   such a morale boost. The parents who
   use the program love it. And everyone on
   staff loves having little ones around.