We know job seekers are more likely to want to work for employers that create family-friendly workplaces. And we know employees can be more productive and loyal, giving a business or organization a competitive edge. As more employers recognize the positive impact of providing family-friendly benefits and offer them, more families and children will thrive.
We need more North Carolina employers to take action. Parents and caregivers need more support:
- According to Pew Research, 54% of all middle aged Americans are sandwiched between care for an elderly parent, and a young child or adult child. The sandwich generation will become the fastest growing employee segment by 2025.
- According to a 2023 survey conducted by the NC Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 26% of NC parents with children five and under left the workforce because they couldn’t find affordable child care. The NC Department of Commerce estimates that between 14,000 – 31,000 working-age North Carolinians with young children could have potentially returned to the workforce in 2023.
We’re here to help. Our Guide to Family Forward Workplaces and our resources and tools can assist employers in creating a workplace that supports parents and caregivers in meeting their work and family responsibilities. See what we offer:
- The Guide to understand the 19 policies that are good for employers, employees and the health and well being of children. Stay tuned for 2025 updates.
- Resources and tools to create a plan
- Case studies to inspire
- Presentations, workshops and panel discussions for employer leadership and HR staff
Our team is proud of our work and growth this year and is encouraged by positive trends in work-family policy. For example, all state employees now have access to paid parental leave. This year, more than 2,000 employers heard from us directly through presentations, panel discussions, and workshops. Since 2023, Family Forward NC® Certified Employers have more than doubled – from 39 to 107.
Here’s some certification highlights in 2024:
- 68 new Family Forward NC® Certified Employers
- 34,401 employees work for these businesses and organizations
- 6 case studies published about certified employers
- 3 exclusive educational programs offered to certified employers featuring experts on:
- Workplace Trends
- Parental Leave – Strategies for Success
- Paid Family & Medical Leave Insurance
Employee Appreciation Day is Friday, March 7, 2025, celebrating employees for their hard work and dedication to their job. That’s plenty of time to start your journey to offering or enhancing your workplace policies to reflect the support working parents and caregivers need.
Let’s Get to Work!
- Read our Certification Overview
- Apply to become certified!
- Check out our directory of certified employers to learn more about their policies and practices.
- Subscribe to our twice monthly newsletter to read about family-friendly employers in NC and keep up with workplace trends, policies and new resources.