Key Takeaways from Appearance on HR Power Hour Podcast
Having a great breastfeeding benefits program supports recruitment as well as retention of talent.
When pumpspotting’s Founder and CEO Amy VanHaren appeared as a guest on the podcast and radio show HR Power Hour, she and Host David Ciullo discussed how employers and HR professionals can accommodate feeding parents in the workplace and how pumpspotting can help.
Think Ahead
Even if you aren’t aware of employees who might benefit from a robust breastfeeding support program right now, you will demonstrate your commitment to the support of caretaking employees when you install and promote your offerings. Elevate legally-required accommodations to comprehensive and effective programming, which includes a milk expression policy, physical locations where employees can comfortably express milk, and supervisors who are trained to not only be in compliance but also to set the tone for all employees. Having a great program supports recruitment as well as retention of talent.
listen to the podcast
Listen to Founder and CEO Amy VanHaren as she’s interviewed by HR Power Hour’s David Ciullo.
Have Conversations
When we toured the U.S., we stopped in more than 60 cities and met with thousands of parents in diverse places, from inner city Detroit to NASA. Interestingly, we observed a consistent disconnect between employers and their working parents: what employers think their feeding parents need and what their feeding parents actually need. Yes, feeding parents need the time and space to express milk. They also need to be seen as dynamic individuals who contribute meaningfully at both home and work.
The takeaway? Ask your employees who are also caretakers: what do you need from work to help you engage, remove obstacles and be satisfied in your role?
Be Flexible
Having a policy in place to support your feeding parents is a wonderful first step, but you may find that different employees need different kinds of support when they become parents. It’s okay to incorporate flexibility into your policies, as you work with individual employees to create an environment where they can do their best work.
Final Thoughts
There is a real business case for supporting employees (and employee spouses and partners) in achieving breastfeeding and chestfeeding goals: when they are successful, employers experience reduced turnover, sick leave, and medical expenses for both baby and mom, while increasing retention and productivity.
Ultimately, having comprehensive family-friendly benefits is good for everyone. Breastfeeding and chestfeeding employees need support from all the major areas of their lives, in order to achieve feeding goals.
learn more
It’s powerful to support your working parents. You can increase retention, support recruitment and invest in your employer brand. Whether you need a breastfeeding policy, lactation facilities audits or the pumpspotting app to manage, support and implement your breastfeeding support program, we’re here to help.