The George Washington University is taking a big step to become more family friendly and to ensure that it is an accommodating workplace for expecting mothers and fathers.
Beginning in January 2014, full-time staff members with at least two consecutive years of benefits-eligible service will be able to receive six weeks paid leave following the birth or adoption of a child.
Paid parental leave will be available for the birth mother and her partner, as well as adoptive parents, as long as the birth or adoption occurs after Jan. 1, 2014. In certain circumstances, staff members who take on other parenting responsibilities —such as becoming a foster parent or a legal guardian — could also be eligible for the benefit.
”This is a momentous change to reflect our support of new parents and in being a family-friendly employer,” said Sabrina Ellis, vice president for human resources. “HR has taken significant steps to improve our efforts to be collaborative in the design of our benefits programs.”
Faculty and staff feedback contributed to the change, said Erica Hayton, director of benefits and wellness at GW. In 2011, the university-wide Breastfeeding Friendly University Project was established at GW. Through the project, representatives gathered to discuss better ways to support breastfeeding families at the university. During a public discussion, attendees brought up the possibility of paid parental leave, Ms. Hayton said.
“We know based on research that the longer the birth mother can stay home, the more likely breastfeeding success will be,” Ms. Hayton said.
Additionally, one of the guiding principles of the GW benefits program is to create a workplace that is family friendly, Ms. Hayton said.
“So this is something that would set us apart,” Ms. Hayton said.
While the Family and Medical Leave Act provides for unpaid job-protected time off to care for a child, in most cases, paid leave is not required and is much less common for American workers.
Out of 19 private institutions that are similar to GW, only four offer paid maternity or parental leave, and only one other offers paid leave that is competitive with GW’s new program, Ms. Hayton said.
But becoming a parent to a new child isn’t the only time faculty and staff may need assistance and support. Having difficulty balancing work and a personal life can be a common reality for employees.
That is why, in addition to the Paid Parental Leave program, GW has created another family- friendly program — the new Wellbeing Hotline. The toll free number is a “one-stop shop,” where employees can seek help with personal, family and financial issues.
For more than 15 years, GW has provided on-site childcare to employees with a partnership with Bright Horizons, but the university has recognized that this service only supports a limited number of families. The Wellbeing Hotline provides access to work-life specialists who will give faculty and staff qualified referrals and customized resources. Rather than simply giving parents a list of nearby childcare facilities, the specialists will ask about their specific needs. After doing research, the specialist will provide the names of childcare providers that have openings and fit the employee’s personalized criteria.
Specialists from the Wellbeing Hotline can also provide advice about elder care, moving, making major purchases and more.
Additionally, the hotline offers a no-cost counseling service. Highly-trained master’s and doctoral level clinicians will listen to concerns about stress, grief, substance abuse, job pressures and family problems. They can refer callers to in-person counseling and other resources.
In the past, the university has provided two separate providers for these services, but now all of the services will be conveniently located “under one roof,” Ms. Hayton said.
On top of these existing services, the Wellbeing Hotline will provide employees with even more resources than in the past. When faculty and staff are faced with legal or financial issues, the service also offers access to attorneys, certified public accountants and financial planners, as well as free online will preparation.
The university also provides a number of other family-focused programs and resources, including a Healthy Pregnancy Program, which allows eligible faculty and staff to receive up to $250 for participating, back-up child and dependent care, and breastfeeding support services.
To take advantage of these programs and more, visit GW’s Colonial Community site.