SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces is excited to unveil a new awards program for public, private and nonprofit employers of any size on the Central Coast. The SLO County Family-Friendly Workplace Award seeks to recognize and support organizations that adopt and implement family-friendly practices for their employees.
Employers throughout the county are encouraged to take the Family-Friendly Workplace assessment, which serves as a tool to measure their family-friendly policies, celebrate what they already have in place, and connect them directly with personalized assistance to learn more about next steps to make their business more family-friendly. This is the beginning of a process that will work with the organization’s unique needs and ultimately make them more attractive for existing and potential workers. At the end of the assessment, businesses can opt in to receive award recognition.
The award structure is designed to uplift employers working towards more family-friendly practices at any level. There are five award levels that span five separate areas: 1) Employer-Sponsored Child Care Benefits, 2) Flexible Work & Scheduling, 3) Paid & Unpaid Leave, 4) Health Care Benefits and Flexible Spending, and 5) New Parent Accommodation & Support.
“Many employers are already implementing family-friendly practices without realizing it,” says Christina Lefevre Latner, Workplace Development Manager. “Flexible time, remote work, predictable scheduling, infants at work, paid leave and insurance options are all family-friendly policies that deserve to be highlighted as such, and we want to recognize those efforts to support families, grow our economy and encourage other organizations to do the same.”
Taking the assessment is the first step in building the connection between a business and SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces, a program launched by the Chamber in October 2021. The program was built on the belief that improving culture and creating more human centric policies is essential to support business success, grow the economy, and advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce. It will help businesses attract and sustain a strong, local workforce, getting more parents back to work. Any business that completes the assessment will be invited to meet with the SLO Chamber Workforce Development Manager and be provided tools and resources to further their efforts.
Employers who complete the assessment and meet the recognition criteria will receive a certificate of recognition, a SLO County Family-Friendly Workplace seal for use on the organization’s website, promotion and recruiting materials, media recognition, inclusion of the employer on the SLO Family-Friendly Workplace website and invitations to networking opportunities and special events. Additionally, a Family-Friendly Workplace toolkit is available as a resource for all businesses.
Employers that have already taken the assessment and received recognition for their family-friendly policies include:
- Rantec Power Systems, Silver Rising Star
- Morris & Garritano Insurance, Diamond Distinguished Champion
- The Land Conservancy, Platinum Trail Blazer
- First 5 SLO County, Gold Committed Leader
- Scientific Drilling, Silver Rising Star
- Trust Automation, Diamond Distinguished Champion
- Water Systems Consulting, Platinum Trail Blazer