Let’s face it – working from home has become quite the transition for most of us. Especially for those who are parents. And with the sudden increase of daycare and school closures – many parents have to juggle between being a supervisor for both their projects and children. In a way, they’ve added another role to their title.
Whether it’s noticeable or not, your team members that are also parents are likely to be burned out. It’s important to make them feel that their current situation is not a burden to the team – and that you are there to support them. Many companies are taking initiative to provide paid parental leave and flexibility when it comes to working hours.
Here are some meaningful ways to support the working parents on your team:
Provide kid-friendly programs
Any parent will tell you that they’ve had to get really creative during the pandemic to entertain their kids. Many companies have been leading by example and have provided virtual activities for the children of working parents. Examples of this are kid-friendly webinars, virtual summer camps, and interactive games. So not only will they have something to look forward to, but it breaks up the routine of what they were doing before.
Needless to say, a company’s commitment to entertain the children of working moms and dads gives them a well-deserved break. Removing the pressure of keeping kids occupied means more productive and at-ease employees. Consider creating a program that is both engaging and educational – such as music and cooking classes. Whatever they may be, it’s important that they are easy-to-use and accessible to any remote employee.
Create a supportive environment
Chances are that the working parents on your team don’t have many people to go to when they feel overwhelmed. Look into creating an online support group for the caregivers in your company, so they can share advice, resources, and just bond.
A sense of community is incredibly important during these times. Companies that have implemented this have seen an increase in company morale and interaction between different departments. Instead of keeping work-life and personal-life matters segregated, encourage your team to support one another in a safe and positive environment.
Give breaks for family time
At the end of the day, it’s important to allow your team to spend time with their children. Times have changed, and in a way, for the better. Working parents that found themselves often distanced from their kids due to busy work schedules have found a way to make up for lost time. Although the remote-working situation may be temporary, it is a reality for many companies up until 2021.
It isn’t realistic to assume that an employee would work undisturbed from 9-5 with their kids under the same roof. Because of that, be willing to be more flexible with work schedules to allow homeschooling or uninterrupted quality time. Doing so will allow working parents to feel more relaxed and less strained.
All in all, working parents have gone above and beyond to be both supportive team members and parents. It’s time to give back that support by creating a flexible and safe space for them to feel welcome.