Corporate welfare increasingly tailored to parents

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In Italy the legislation is still stingy in recognizing the role of fathers within families and there are only 10 days of leave, but many companies are anticipating the legislator to respond to the new needs of families who are increasingly moving towards shared parenting.

In the new corporate welfare practices dedicated to families, we therefore talk a little less regarding maternity and a little more regarding parenting, dedicating particular attention to fathers. And this approach is also good for companies: with workers increasingly attentive to their well-being, in the era of large-scale resignations, being attractive to the new generation of fathers who are proving to be increasingly present in family life and increasingly capable of recognizing oneself in an equal role with one’s teammates is certainly a winning card for organizations.

But what are the most widespread measures in companies to support shared parenting in practice? At a general level, the most common interventions can be grouped into macro-areas: co-pays in addition to legal obligations, smart working, economic contributions (including vouchers and reimbursements), organization (nurseries and other company spaces, increase in leaves, especially for fathers).

Many companies have chosen, for example, to extend paternity leave, to fill the legislative gap, adding paid days in some cases up to 100%. As regards parental leave, which can already be used by both parents, for some companies an economic integration of the paid portion required by law is envisaged, in other cases the possibility of taking advantage of additional unpaid days is given in the event of illness. of the child or other needs. These are practices which, by being open to both parents, facilitate equal decision-making. Furthermore, companies also respond to an evolving concept of family and also provide measures for children acquired within extended families and for children of same-parent couples.

A recent study by the Corporate Welfare Lab of SDA Bocconi School of Management analyzed the impacts of corporate welfare on company performance, employee engagement and the birth rate of companies. Focusing on the dynamics that exist between the company, employees and individual well-being, the study highlighted how good welfare practices effectively influence not only the growth of company revenues, but also the attractiveness of the company, as well as parenting as a systemic driver and factor key in developing workers’ skills.