Employee Friendly Workplace Initiative & Certification

Enhancing work-life balance integration

Launched in 2019, the Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace Initiative is focused on enhancing work/ life integration for all employees by encouraging the adoption of more employee friendly workplace practices and policies. It is a collaborative effort between businesses and community organizations, led by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, for the primary purpose of creating a supportive work environment in order to attract and retain top talent in the region.

When the global pandemic blurred the boundaries between work and life, the struggle to manage it all seemed unattainable. The demands of family life increased substantially while the work world changed into a virtual all-access pass. Now more than ever, a supportive work environment is essential for employee wellbeing. Employers must make accommodations for family responsibilities in order to sustain a thriving, productive work environment that is truly employee friendly.

Employers eager to support employees on their journey towards work/life integration can leverage the Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace Certification. The certification is used as a tool to create and/or enhance a supportive work environment. Essentially, an employee friendly workplace improves the overall employee wellbeing while retaining top talent and gaining a competitive advantage. Employers who adopt more employee friendly workplace practices and policies could see a reduction in turnover and absenteeism as well as an increase in presenteeism and loyalty.

The following information includes definitions and criteria information for Employee Friendly Workplace Certification. For additional information, visit www.foxcitieschamber.com/employee-friendlyworkplace. FLEXIBLE WORK ARRANGEMENTS Flexible work arrangements are alternate arrangements or schedules from the traditional working hours, day and/or week. This offers employees the opportunity to choose a work schedule that provides flexibility to accommodate personal and family commitments.

PARENTAL LEAVE An employee benefit package may include paid or unpaid leave for the birth of a child and/or the placement of a child in connection with adoption or foster care. Parental leave also includes time to care for or make arrangements for the welfare of a child or dependent family member.

HEALTH & WELLNESS Theses benefits may include generous health insurance coverage. In addition, employees may have access to amenities that support and enhance overall physical and mental well-being such as wellness clinic, fitness space and cafeteria. Other amenities might include wellness education, fitness stipends/ subsidies, virtual counseling and wellness rewards.

CHILDCARE Childcare benefits offer critical support to working families. This support is offered in a variety of ways such as, on-site day care, discounts/subsidies for day care and pre-tax benefit accounts. Other forms of support might include referrals to reliable care and coordinating options for placement at near-site day care.

EMPLOYEE FRIENDLY WORKPLACE Employers offering comprehensive benefit packages that promote and encourage work/ life integration for the purpose of sustaining or enhancing a supportive work environment for all employees.