Happiness and work-life balance can make or break a company culture. The “life” part of that equation can entail all sorts of things, including family. And as more and more households now rely on dual incomes, many companies are doing more to support employees with families.
It’s such a hot topic, Forbes compiled a list of ways employers can better support employees with families. Topping the list were: leading with empathy, creating a community for parents, and being more flexible with people’s schedules. “Working from home and more flexible work hours are a game changer,” says Sarah Santos, Cramer’s Associate Creative Director. “When the pandemic hit and kids were home from school, we couldn’t ignore the burden on it put on families. Mothers, fathers, all caregivers were suddenly juggling more than they maybe ever had. As difficult as it all was, I do think it’s had a positive long-term impact on working and having a family.
“As work-from-home became more normal, things like taking calls from home and working with timelines that were more fluid became part of our DNA. When that happened, I felt I was much better equipped to support everyone who depended on me—both at home and in the office. It made me a happier employee and mother.”
Being a working parent comes with its own challenges, especially for new or expectant mothers. Providing them with a private area can be very helpful, but only if everyone knows where it is and how to access it. Cramer has had a “mom’s room” for years, but its official location has moved multiple times over the years, which meant many newer employees were unaware it existed. Dedicating a permanent space for new parents—and publicizing it internally so everyone knows about it without having to ask – has been an ongoing discussion at Cramer as to how we can be more supportive to new moms. So, this spring, Cramer’s Mom Room found its forever home, and got a fresh new look in the process (see it for yourself, here!) It was designed to be a calming area where working mothers can pump with privacy. And, when not in use by pumping moms, the room also serves as a quiet space for employees to take a moment away from work.
Special considerations went into its layout and decor. “We knew this was more than style refresh or chance to improve a room’s functionality… this was an opportunity to create a space that truly celebrates the hard-working new mothers on our team,” said Senior Designer Lauren Pineau. “We researched mom’s room best practices and talked through a pumping session step-by-step to ensure the room was designed to be helpful in every way. We then took the opportunity to play with color and shape to enhance the space and make it feel different from the conference room it used to be. This included incorporating our Cramer-brand orange into the room, but also using complementary colors that are fun and feminine. For the hand painted wall, the result was an organic pattern with warm and inviting pink as the primary color and playful pops of teal and orange.”
As workspaces continue to evolve, the best environment a company can create is one where employees feel they are being heard and supported. Each team member’s needs are unique. Employers that find creative solutions to promote a healthy work-life balance will build a better company culture. “Acknowledging that employees have families and really trying to support them is not a new concept, but it is increasingly important when you’re trying to retain the best talent,” Sarah pointed out. “Making your company more compassionate towards families will inevitably make it more compassionate for everyone.”
