Family-friendly workplaces strengthen our state

Family Forward NC is an innovative initiative to improve children’s health and well-being and keep North Carolina’s businesses competitive. It is employer-led change to increase access to research-based, family-friendly practices — big and small — that improve workplace productivity, recruitment and retention; grow a strong economy; and support children’s healthy development.

Business Smart.

Family-friendly workplaces have a strong competitive advantage.

Family Friendly.

The benefits of family-friendly workplaces are numerous and long-lasting.

Future Ready.

To prepare our future workforce for success, we have to start in early childhood.

Families Have Changed.

But workplaces haven’t.

75% of moms
and
50% of dads

Seventy-five percent of US mothers and fifty percent of US fathers say they’ve passed up work opportunities, switched jobs, or quit to care for their children.Footnote # 1

According to the Federal Reserve in San Francisco, there would be 5 million more workers in the US workforce if parents had access to more family-friendly benefits.

40% of parents nationwide say they’ve left a job because it lacked flexibility.

North Carolina employers engaged

Family Forward in Action

A Conversation with Samantha Cole, North Carolina’s First Child Care Business Liaison

November 19, 2024

Child care access is a top concern for North Carolina employers looking to attract and retain a talented workforce. To help bridge this gap is Samantha Cole, the new Child…

HR Leaders: Four Tips for a Successful Open Enrollment Season

October 29, 2024

We know that Open Enrollment season can overwhelm employers and employees. That’s why we gathered insights from North Carolina-based benefits and HR experts who share their recommendations for a smoother,…

How Employers Can Identify and Support Employees Experiencing Domestic Violence

October 7, 2024

Domestic violence doesn’t just stay at home—it can follow victims into the workplace, affecting their performance, safety, and well-being. One in 4 women and one in 10 men experience domestic…

Show 1 footnote
  1. Craighill, Peyton and Danielle Paquette. “The surprising number of parents scaling back at work to care for kids.” The Washington Post. August 6, 2015. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/the-surprising-number-of-moms-and-dads-scaling-back-at-work-to-care-for-their-kids/2015/08/06/c7134c50-3ab7-11e5-b3ac-8a79bc44e5e2_story.html?utm_term=.bd7035932210. Return to footnote #1 referrer