Raising a family while working can be a challenge for most parents, but it seems many businesses are lending a helping hand. According to a survey, close to two-thirds (65 per cent) of companies have made policy changes to better accommodate working parents.


The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with 100 randomly selected senior Canadian executives.


Executives were asked, "In the past five years, has your organization made changes in workplace policy to better accommodate working parents? Their responses:


Yes.......................................................................... 65%

No............................................................................ 32%

Don't know............................................................ 3%

                                                                                100%


"Programs that support work-life balance are attractive to professionals, especially members of the 'sandwich generation' -- those caring for both children and elderly parents, said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. "For smaller firms that may not have as much flexibility in adjusting salaries as larger organizations, offering these types of benefits can level the playing field.


Domeyer noted that working parents aren't the only ones who benefit from perks such as telecommuting, flextime, extended family leave and elder care. "Many employees are juggling multiple priorities and appreciate these types of programs. Companies should actively promote these offerings to all prospective hires, both in job postings and during the employment interview.