Although many employers do not perceive pregnancy of their workers too positively, for the smart ones it is an opportunity to become more family-friendly and better work with career planning for parents. The current trend is clear - today's mothers are older, better educated and having children at the time when they want to bring them up actively. Companies that want to keep these employees should, therefore, begin to offer more flexible work and communicate about it before pregnant women begin to ask themselves.
There are many reasons why employers should take parenthood of their workers seriously. It is not just about an expression of respect but also about savings regarding the potential loss of talent and costs of finding and training new employees. Server Diversity Magazine summed up ten practical steps on how to avoid the loss of talent from the ranks of mothers and fathers.
1. Remember that the way you deal with pregnant women and parents imapcts other employees who have not become parents yet.
2. Consider the generosity of corporate policies to employees on parental leave. Employer do not have to offer just the legal minimum.
3. Once you learn about pregnancy of an employee, review all the organizational matters regarding maternity leave (length, maternity benefits etc.) with her. Before you e-mail her instructions prepared by lawyers, however, edit them into a readable form. Then clarify other issues in person.
4. Treat pregnant women normally. Notifying pregnancy does not mean that the employee must stop to work on her assignments and pass them to someone else. She should be actively involved in this process.
5. After returning from maternity leave offer part-time and flexible working hours.
6. Part-time job and flexible working hours should not mean losing benefits.
7. Maintain contact with employees on parental leave. Tell them what is happening in the company and that you are looking forward to meeting them again. Before returning to work arrange a personal meeting.
8. Support women who continue breastfeeding after returning from maternity leave. Prepare a special room for them to express breast milk in privacy.
9. Look for a convenient way to provide care for children of your employees.
10. Do not handle parents who return to work as if they were less competent and less professional than before their departure. Do not deprive them of complex tasks and prospects for advancement.
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