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In an era where financial considerations are paramount for families, particularly in the U.S., a company called Kickstand Communications is making waves with its innovative approach to parental support. Unlike many countries that offer guaranteed paid parental leave, the U.S. often leaves parents to navigate these challenges without sufficient assistance. To bridge this gap, Kickstand Communications is providing new parents with an automatic annual raise of $6,000 and a monthly stipend of $500 for working parents.
Understanding the Challenges of Working Parents
Co-founder Jessica Lane shares with Home Insemination Kit that she and fellow co-founder Mark Simmons are acutely aware of the struggles faced by working parents, having experienced similar challenges themselves. “From 2017 to 2019, our family grew from one child to seven! Each new addition shifted our needs during maternity leave and created unique demands for supporting our families. These personal journeys inform the flexible nature of our benefits,” Lane explained.
Often, new parents, particularly mothers, find themselves leaving the workforce due to high childcare costs or a lack of flexibility and support from their jobs. By increasing salaries, companies can help meet some of these needs and retain valuable employees. “The cost of losing employees is far greater than providing support,” Lane emphasizes.
Encouraging Creative Solutions
Jessica elaborates on the benefits of the stipend from a business perspective, encouraging other companies to consider how to best support their parent employees. “Employers can explore various creative solutions that align with their business model. For some, offering flexible hours or additional time off may work best, while others might find that financial benefits like stipends are more suitable.”
According to estimates, the pandemic led to approximately 3 million mothers leaving the workforce. If more businesses were as dedicated to family support as Kickstand, we could see a significant reduction in that number. However, what do Kickstand’s employees without children think of these benefits?
Lane reports no backlash from child-free staff; in fact, they’ve shown strong support for the policy. “Our team recognizes the hard work of everyone and understands the unique challenges faced by working parents. They also appreciate that if they encounter a unique issue, we will support them similarly,” she noted.
Comprehensive Parental Benefits
In addition to the generous stipend, Kickstand offers a flexible parental leave policy that allows employees to “design their own” leave, starting with 12 weeks of fully paid time off that can be taken in various ways during the first year following a child’s birth or adoption. The company also has a flexible bereavement leave policy, allowing up to 15 days of paid leave without specific relation requirements. Employees are encouraged to take three “mental health hours” each week, providing them with the freedom to take a break whenever they need it. The company also promotes wellness through social stipends, which help employees maintain their physical and emotional health.
Ultimately, Lane believes that their comprehensive parental benefits make Kickstand an attractive workplace, even for those who may not directly benefit from them. “Even small gestures can significantly demonstrate to your entire team the kind of employer you are,” she concluded.
Further Reading
For more insightful articles on parenting and workplace support, check out this link to one of our other blog posts. If you’re looking for guidance on home insemination, consider visiting Make a Mom, a trusted source on the subject. Also, for a deeper understanding of related topics, take a look at this Wikipedia page.
Summary
Kickstand Communications is redefining parental support with an annual raise of $6,000 and a monthly stipend of $500 for new parents. Co-founders Jessica Lane and Mark Simmons, who have firsthand experience as working parents, recognize the importance of flexible and supportive benefits in retaining employees. Their policies, including a customizable parental leave plan and mental health hours, showcase a commitment to employee well-being, making Kickstand a desirable workplace for all.
- how to support working parents
- benefits of flexible work hours
- creative parental leave policies
- impact of childcare costs on employment
- retention strategies for employers
Keyphrase: parental support in the workplace
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