Babies in the Workplace - Business Benefits

Simply looking at a baby's face has been shown to produce a sense of "reward and good feeling" in as little as one-seventh of a second; we are biologically programmed to feel happy when we are around babies. As a result of being around happy babies, employees tend to feel a closer relationship with each other and teamwork increases. This increased camaraderie is also related to the fact that employees from different areas of the company end up interacting during brief baby visits and getting to know each other better, which results in more collaboration on work projects. In addition, there is an increased level of comfort between employees that seems to flow from the trust inherent in being able to hold and care for each other's babies. This increased trust also flows over into work projects.

Companies that publicize their baby programs find that they receive many applications from high-quality job candidates who are impressed that the company offers a baby program. Companies frequently receive inquiries from candidates whose children are grown or who just enjoy being around babies but who aren't in a position to bring their own baby to work, as well as from prospective parents who hope to participate in the program in the future.