Are You Father-Friendly?

More and more men state that work-family balance issues prevent them from being a successful parent, and more and more women are saying that they want their husbands to be more available so that they can balance their work-family priorities, as well.

I was privileged to talk with several other experts on Kojo Nnamdi's NPR show last week - Work-Life Balance : A Male Perspective. As Generation Y men enter the workforce and become parents, they're placing more emphasis on their role as a father and are looking for companies who will do the same, even in tougher economic times.

With Father's Day just passed, it's a good time to analyze what are you doing for the fathers in your company. Many work-life programs offer parenting resources for both women and men, but with information and a style that is geared more for women. Maternity leave is a standard, but paternity leave is only starting to catch on.

Focusing on fathers will boost your bottom line - studies show that good fathers are better leaders - and it doesn't have to be expensive. Here are some ideas:
Include Men/Fathers In Marketing Collateral. If you're advertising a seminar/workshop or hosting a presentation, make sure the imagery includes men and fathers so that men feel welcome and at-ease.

Offer Literature Specifically for Fathers. Brochures/pamphlets with specific information for men on topics like balancing work and family, keeping children safe, and other parenting tips will get more traction among men.

Organize a Dads Group. Encourage men to meet over lunch and invite in guest speakers. This will give them a safe place to talk about fathering and support each other.
To see how father-friendly your company is, you can use a free diagnostic tool - the Father Friendly Check-Up. Offered by the National Fatherhood Initiative, it helps you pin-point strategies for becoming a more father-friendly organization.

Don't let your fathers get left in the dust during these tough economic times. With just a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, you can actively and effectively support the fathers in your company.

My recent radio appearance on the Kojo Nnamdi Show

Work-Life Balance: A Male Perspective

Click Here to listen to this WAMU American University Radio interview which “examines the [work-life] concerns of young working men and looks at how employers are beginning to respond.” Featured in this interview are Ellen Galinsky, President, Families and Work Institute; Kathleen Gerson, Professor of Sociology, New York University; and Ken Gosnell, Associate Vice President of National Programming, National Fatherhood Initiative.