by Kathy Lynn

Workplace wellness was born when the business community started to realize that a healthy employee was more productive, suffered less stress, and had fewer sick days. So the programs focused on physical health with smoking cessation programs, blood pressure checks and fitness centres. And the employees became healthier, but they still suffered from stress and anxiety.

Workplace wellness programs have evolved. In order to be truly healthy, all parents in the workforce need to be supported by programs that help them build parenting skills and strategies.

Parenting workshops and support seem to be difficult to implement. Although one knows that child raising is the most important job in the world, one is still unclear on the concept that like any other career, parenting is one for which one needs training. When parents know about child development, when they have a handle on child discipline, when they are comfortable communicating with their kids; they are better employees. They arrive in the morning calm and ready to work. Their work time is productive, and they are comfortable and happy in their role as parent, and thus can focus on their paid employment.

I was having a conversation with the workplace wellness director in a major law firm after having presented a workshop for their staff and for the lawyers. She said: “Great speakers, like you, come into the workplace and do a presentation for the employees. There is a buzz for a few days and then it’s over. One needs follow-up.”

I agree; follow-up is important. So, at Parenting Today we have developed a number of programs available as a follow-up support for parents in the workplace.

Why Would You Care?
Today’s young professionals insist that their benefits programs include recognition that they have a full life outside of the workplace. The workplace that honours that will find that they can recruit the best people, that they will see an increase in employee retention and loyalty, and that their employees will have fewer sick days, be focused on their job while at work and will suffer less stress and anxiety.

Raising kids is one of the greatest challenges for those trying to achieve a balance between home and work. The workplaces that recognize that will be the winners, as will their employees and the next generation of workers, their children.

Kathy Lynn is a professional speaker and author with an expertise in parenting. For more information on her workplace wellness programs visit her website at www.parentingtoday.ca.

This article was published in the December 2007 issue of BarTalk. © 2007 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.