Parenting in the Workplace

Abstract

This article describes a unique, employer-based infant care program that allows parents to care for their babies in the workplace and reports on the response of the coworker employees to this arrangement. Of 35 permanent employees in a university-based research organization, 86% completed a self-report questionnaire. Results indicated that parenting babies in the workplace, in this setting, has little, if any, perceived negative effect on the work life of other employees. Additionally, these employees expressed overall positive attitudes about the program. Results did not vary by gender, education, marital status, income, job position or responsibilities, dependent care responsibilities, amount of contact with babies, or retention intention. Minority employees reported more positive effects. Implications of the findings for employers, workplace factors to consider for a viable infant care program, directions for future investigations, and new assumptions about work and family life are discussed.