Safe Leave: The Policy You’ve Probably Never Heard Of—But Every Workplace Needs

When we think about family-friendly workplace policies, we often picture flexible schedules, paid parental leave, or child care stipends. But there’s one life-saving policy most people have never heard of — safe leave. Safe leave is a workplace policy that allows survivors of domestic or sexual violence—or their family members—to take time off for critical needs such as medical care, legal proceedings, or child-related appointments without having to disclose their situation or provide documentation. It may sound simple, but for many survivors, it can mean the difference between dan…

Business Smart: Sandhills Community College Living Up to Its Core Values 

News, North Carolina
Investing in On-Site Child Care to Support Family Wellness  Number of Employees- 286Location: Southern Pines  Integrity, Helpfulness, Excellence, Respect, and Opportunity. These are the values that drive Sandhills Community College (SCC) in providing quality education and fostering an inclusive environment where students and employees can thrive. As North Carolina’s first comprehensive community college, SCC serves 11,439 learners and offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across a wide range of fields. The college also provides workforce contin…

Greensboro Becomes First Certified Community—Offering a Model for Communities Across the Region

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RALEIGH, NC — In today’s competitive labor market, 63% of employees say they’d switch jobs for better benefits, and they’re looking for more than just pay. A growing number of North Carolina employers are proving that family-friendly workplace policies are more than a perk. These policies lead to a stronger workforce, healthier children, and more resilient communities. Now, Greensboro shows what’s possible when an entire city embraces that approach. This month, Greensboro became the first city in North Carolina to earn the designation of a Family Forward NC® Cert…

Building Strong and Resilient Rural Businesses, Families, and Communities

Small businesses are an important and growing sector of employers, especially in NC’s rural communities. Their success rests on their ability to recruit and retain workers.  That’s why Lisa Finaldi from The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF) and Aaron Dawson from The Industrial Commons (TIC) in Burke County, teamed up in March at the NC Rural Center’s annual Summit to assist participants in identifying and exploring strategies to recruit and retain employees; foster high-quality productive work environments; promote talent development; and support the health…

Family Forward NC Announces First Group of Certified Employers

National, NCECF, News, North Carolina
Certified Employers Represent More Than 600 Employees in Communities Across NC The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF) today announced the first 15 employers — who collectively represent more than 600 employees — to receive a Family Forward NC Certification. Certified employers represent workplaces across the state of North Carolina and industries as diverse as manufacturing, child care, and web design. These employers have met the certification standards outlined by NCECF’s Family Forward NC initiative by offering policies and practices that support the health an…