Pregnancy-Friendly Workplace Is Key to Retaining Skill... ( Luncheon Highlights Best Practice...)

Pregnancy-Friendly Workplace Is Key to Retaining Skilled Workers

Date:12/12/2007

Luncheon Highlights Best Practices for Mothers and Babies

NEW YORK, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With more than 2 million women in the labor force having a baby every year, businesses must make their work environment welcoming to pregnant women or risk losing skilled employees, the March of Dimes says.

Today, women of child-bearing age comprise 46 percent of the workforce. Every year, almost 5 percent of these women will deliver a baby. This accounts for almost 50 percent of all births in the U.S. While the decision to work during and after pregnancy often is framed as a choice for women, some lack the finances to be able to stay home, while others find the work environment hostile and are forced to quit.

It is for this reason that women need answers to questions such as "Can new moms make the transition from work to home and back?" And, "What benefit is there for businesses in helping pregnant women stay healthy and continue working?"

An estimated 90 percent of all workplaces with 50 or more employees have some form of health promotion program, according to the March of Dimes "Healthy Babies, Healthy Business" (HBHB) initiative. Several studies reported a cost-benefit ratio from health care costs savings averaging $3.48 for every dollar spent on programs. Others that calculated cost-benefit ratios based on combined savings from reduced health care costs and absenteeism found an average savings of $4.30 for every dollar spent on programs. The March of Dimes strongly believes it makes good business sense, a more compassionate working environment and happy employees to offer health promotion programs.

As we prepare to move forward in the 21st century, women - and pregnant women in the workforce - need to know that businesses not only care about them but are doing something to make their worklife more comfortable, meaningful and less stressful.

The March of Dimes today presented a lively panel discussio
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