SAN JOSE, Calif. – Workers are being asked to ignore crying babies and some unpleasant scents as Alliance CU is inviting their employees to bring their newborn babies to work.
Employees of the $350 million credit union will be allowed beginning Thursday to bring their newborns to work and give greater attention to their care during the months when important milestones occur—a first smile, a hesitant reach for a loving hand, all the once-in-a-lifetime events that happen with a growing baby that working mothers and fathers often miss while they're in the workplace.
Beyond the obvious bonding benefits, the Babies in the Workplace program—one of the first credit unions to offer it--will alleviate the cost of childcare for the first several months while also reducing staff shortages (and temporary staffing) during pregnancy and childcare related leaves of absences.
This is a program that is often talked about in companies, but rarely given the priority status that allows it to be implemented as part of day-to-day business. Alliance hopes the program proves beneficial to both its team members—as it sees the credit union is a team--and the company.
