Babies in the Workplace

It is beneficial for companies to discuss specific plans with each individual parent prior to the parent returning to work with their baby. Relevant issues to discuss include equipment the parent plans to bring, where diaper changing should be done (this should never be in a work area), and any high-stress projects that the parent is involved in that might be more complicated due to the baby's presence. Companies may sometimes need to address individual questions on a case-by-case basis during the course of a baby's tenure. The Parenting in the Workplace Institute is available to answer questions as needed.

Newly implemented baby programs are much more likely to be supported on a company-wide basis if they are actively supported from the upper levels of an organization. There can often be skepticism from coworkers and managers prior to implementation of a program. Although this skepticism is almost always replaced by enthusiastic support once people see how well a structured program works in practice, top-down support of a program minimizes initial concerns that people may have.