Family Friendly Culture

When I talk about family friendly work, I often get hung up on talking about flexible work options. For most, the ability to have some flexibility is the key to family friendly work.

However, the nature of the actual work environment often is more important than flexibility of schedule. I have talked to many parents who tell me that they are not comfortable even talking about their kids at work. Admitting you have children in some companies can become a barrier to career advancement. You are not in a family friendly environment if you feel that you need to claim you are sick to get a day off instead of letting your boss know you have a sick kid.

Beyond the attitudes of company leaders toward families, companies can also create a family friendly work environment by offering benefits that support you and your family. Examples include comprehensive health care coverage, paid sick time, family leave beyond the legal requirements, and childcare support.

If you are looking for family friendly work, it is essential that you make efforts to find out what the work environemnet is really like. Even little things, such as children's artwork proudly displayed around the office, can help you find out if a company is family friendly. You should thoroughly check out benefit options and look for opportunities to talk casually with as many peers as possible. Create a checklist of what you think is important for you and your family, and stick to it.