(Published September 15, 2008)
Earlier this month, I bid farewell to the lazy days of summer and sent two of my children back to school. Like most parents, I have mixed emotions about the start of the new school year. As a part-time employee, a big part of me will miss my kids and the time we spent together this summer. Another part of me is looking forward to getting back into some semblance of a routine. And yet another part of me dreads the juggling act that comes with being a working mother of school-aged kids.
I don't know about the rest of you, but for me, the first couple of weeks of September are crazy. Back to school means adjusting to new bedtime and wake-up rituals, filling out endless papers and forms, coordinating carpools, jockeying between extracurricular activities, and helping with homework – I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
Now combine the pressures of back to school with the pressures of being a working parent, and you really have the makings for mayhem. Try as I might to work without disruption, parent/teacher conferences, football scrimmages, half-day sessions, and calls from the school nurse that my son fell down the stairs and needs stitches often have different plans for me.
For those of you without school-age children, you probably can't appreciate how stressful the beginning of the school year can be for parents, both personally and professionally. But for those of you who do, I'm sure you know full well how an understanding employer can go a long way toward making the back-to-school transition a smooth one.
For this reason, I have put together my own back-to-school supply list. This is a list of things employers can do to help employees with school-age children (and others with work/family issues) ease back into the swing of things with as little disruption to the workplace and homefront as possible.
Implement flextime. At the beginning of the school year, most parents have to adjust to new schedules. It may be necessary for employees to come in later than usual so they can drop children off at school or wait for the school bus. A flextime policy enables employees to meet the demands of back-to-school schedules without being late.
Offer school visitation leave. More and more companies are offering school visitation leave to enable parents to take time off to attend school-related activities, conferences, etc. As a matter of fact, a number of states have enacted school visitation leave laws that prohibit employers from discriminating against parents for taking time off for school functions.
Cut employees some slack. A little understanding can go a long way when school-related emergencies or crises arise. Although a forgotten lunch may not seem like much of a crisis, trust me, it's the end of the world to a seven-year-old. Employees who feel they are supported by their employers and colleagues in meeting their family responsibilities tend to be more productive and loyal.
Stacey L. Ziegler
Editor
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