Creating Supportive Workplaces for New Parents: 6 Tips for Employers
In today's rapidly changing work environment, creating supportive spaces for new parents requires understanding public policy and fostering a workplace culture that encourages inclusivity, enhances employee well-being, and boosts productivity. As Sarah Olin, founder and CEO of LUMO (a company that provides inclusive leadership coaching for organizations) says, “If we’re supporting new parents, we’re able to support all parents.” Here, leading experts in HR and well-being from a range of industries offer six ways employers can cultivate workplaces that support new parents.
1. Understand and implement legal requirements
With the passage of the Pump Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act at the end of 2022 employers must stay informed about their legal obligations about lactation accommodations and parental support. Ensure that all staff, especially HR and managers, are aware of workplace requirements and ready to implement them effectively. “Good policy can change lives,” says Sascha Mayer, cofounder of Mamava, the company that creates lactation pods. “That’s why we don’t just create lactation support solutions, but also raise awareness and advocate for better legislation and workplace policies.”
2. Offer paid parental leave and flexible return-to-work policies
Paid parental leave is a huge boon for new parents, but without a federal paid leave policy—the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) only provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave—it’s a patchwork of support that varies from state to state and workplace to workplace. “It can literally be life-saving to offer paid leave,” says Sarah Berkley, Vice President, Well-Being & Engagement at NFP. As an employer, consider offering paid leave (if you don’t already!) and implement transition programs to ease the shift back to work.
3. Create designated workplace lactation spaces
It's crucial to have designated, non-bathroom spaces for breastfeeding employees to pump comfortably and comply with the PUMP Act. Ensure these spaces are private, appropriately equipped, and that the purpose of this accommodation is communicated in a written lactation policy so that all employees—not just breastfeeding employees—understand expectations. “HR is often tackling difficult problems, but providing a lactation space is an easy solution that signals an organization is welcoming and ready for new parents,” says Sascha Mayer.
4. Build an inclusive culture with visible policies
Encourage leadership to discuss workplace policies and benefits to reinforce the message that parental responsibilities are expected and respected within the organization. For Carlos Cruz, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Wellbeing and Social Support at Dallas College, this means providing free resources to student parents. “It’s not just about recruitment,” says Cruz. “By providing all the necessary resources [for students who are also parents] to be successful in their academic journey and career, we’re trying to remove challenges to life circumstances. We’re in the barrier-busting business.”
5. Develop parental advocacy groups
Establish employee resource groups for parents and caregivers. These groups—often called Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)—can give voice to specific challenges, foster peer support, and even drive policy changes through the collective advocacy of shared experiences and needs.
6. Embrace human-centric leadership
Cultivate a compassionate leadership style that understands and respects the challenges of balancing work with parenting. Managers should be trained to support employees' personal needs effectively, making adjustments where necessary without compromising business goals. This approach not only retains talent but also nurtures a loyal and motivated workforce.
By implementing these strategies, employers not only comply with existing laws but also create a culture that supports new parents. Introducing comprehensive policies and fostering a supportive, flexible, and inclusive workplace ensures that all employees—parents and non-parents alike—feel valued, respected, and equipped to succeed.
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Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.
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