Babies in the Workplace

said that the first employee to bring in a baby sent a note out the first day she came in with her son, saying, "Hey neighbors, welcome my son and I. I know this is going to be an interesting experiment. I want you to tell me, or talk to HR, if anything bothers you." Audrey felt that this was a very valuable part of integrating the baby into the workplace.

In discussing a prospective baby program with employees, companies need to be aware of--and help correct--the mistaken assumptions many people in our society have that all babies are disruptive and cry frequently. If a company educates its employees about the goals and the positive effects of baby programs and makes it clear that the company is committed to making the program work, employees will be more likely to keep an open mind about the concept and to be flexible about helping to make it work. Once a baby program has been in place

provisions of a baby program to the particular needs of a company, its employees, and its customers or clients.

Large companies may find that soliciting input and approval from all employees simply isn't realistic. However, something that worked well for many of the larger companies was discussing the baby policy with those who would be located close to a baby before the baby first arrived in the office, explaining the purpose and parameters of the baby program, and addressing concerns that people had about the baby or about work getting completed.

In addition to discussing a baby program with employees in the abstract, it can also help for parents to touch base with their immediate coworkers when their baby starts coming to work. MAYA Design, Inc. is an extremely open, no walls, work environment. Audrey Russo of MAYA