Announcing an exciting new partnership to improve parental leave!
At the Center for Parental Leave Leadership (CPLL) we know that supporting working parents isn’t just good for families—it’s essential for business success. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with The Standard that will amplify our mission and bring much-needed support to frustrated employers, employees, and managers across the nation.
Our collaboration with The Standard, a leading provider of financial protection products and services, including disability and leave insurance, represents a pivotal moment in the fight for comprehensive parental leave support. This partnership isn’t just about policies; it’s about people, potential, and the power of inclusive workplaces.
The Harsh Reality
For too long, we’ve witnessed the struggles faced by working parents, team members, supervisors, and employers:
- New parents feeling torn between career ambitions and family responsibilities
- Managers grappling with team dynamics and workload distribution during parental leave
- Employers losing valuable talent due to inadequate support systems
- A persistent gender gap in career progression and leadership roles (and a complimentary caregiving gender gap at home)
New Research
In collaboration with The Standard we recently surveyed HR decision-makers around the country about parental leave at their workplace. Their answers revealed some stark statistics:
- 55% rate their company as average or below average in supporting mothers
- 66% rate themselves as average or below average in supporting fathers
- 67% rate themselves as average or below average in supporting supervisors to manage parental leave transitions
Behind these numbers are countless stories of frustration, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled potential. For over a decade we’ve heard from exhausted new mothers contemplating leaving their careers, fathers facing stigma for taking extended leave, and managers struggling to balance team needs with parental leave accommodations.
One employer candidly shared, “I feel like our company falls short in supporting fathers who want to take all of their weeks. There is a norm that fathers take less time than mothers and are almost looked down upon for wanting to be on leave.”
These challenges aren’t just personal—they’re systemic, and they’re holding us all back.
A Values-Driven Solution
Amy Criswell, Market Segment Director for Absence Management and Disability at The Standard, emphasizes the value of this partnership: “Parental leave can be complicated both administratively and culturally, especially for diverse and multi-state employers. Even with a paid leave policy in place, employers may still be challenged with employee recruiting and retention, burnout and cultural issues. We believe this new relationship is a natural extension of the absence management services we already provide.”
Through this collaboration, we’re offering a comprehensive suite of services to address the complex challenges of parental leave:
- Expert Consultation: We’ll work directly with employers to craft or expand policies that work for all stakeholders, navigating the intricate web of legal, cultural, and practical considerations.
- Innovative Programming: CPLL’s just-in-time online training can be combined with one-on-one coaching to ensure clear communication between all stakeholder, effective leave and return plans, perinatal mental health screening, and more.
- Data-Driven Strategies: CPLL’s Research team helps organizations measure the impact of their parental leave initiatives and continuously improve their approach.
The Impact: Transforming Frustration into Fulfillment
For Employers:
- Retain top talent by demonstrating a genuine commitment to work-life integration and health and wellness
- Enhance productivity by ensuring smooth transitions before, during, and after parental leave
- Foster a more inclusive culture that attracts diverse talent and drives innovation
For Expecting & New Parents:
- Feel supported and valued during arguably the most significant personal and professional transition of the career lifecycle
- Maintain career momentum while thriving at home
- Reduce stress and increase job satisfaction
For Managers:
- Gain the tools and confidence to effectively lead teams through parental leave transitions
- Foster a supportive team culture that enhances overall productivity and morale
- Develop skills that translate to better leadership in all areas
A Call to Action
As Dr. Amy Beacom, founder of CPLL, emphasizes: “Our work is about creating a new social contract where our work lives and family lives are recognized as intricately combined. We’re not just improving life for parents or profits for companies—we’re doing both.“
This partnership with The Standard allows us to bring CPLL’s transformative approach to more organizations than ever before. It’s an opportunity to turn frustration into fulfillment, challenges into opportunities, and outdated practices into forward-thinking strategies.
To the employers feeling the strain of inadequate parental leave support: we hear you, and we’re here to help – reach out.
To the employees struggling to balance career and family: your potential should not be limited by parenthood – reach out.
To the managers navigating complex team dynamics: you don’t have to figure this out alone – reach out.
Join us in this movement. Together, we can create workplaces where parenthood and professional success are not mutually exclusive, where support for working parents is seen as a strategic advantage rather than a bureaucratic necessity.
Ready to transform your approach to parental leave? Contact us directly at CPLL or, if you are a client of The Standard, you can reach us through them too. Let’s build a future where every working parent feels supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.
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Sources
Research is the bedrock of our mission and actions at the Center for Parental Leave Leadership. We wholeheartedly believe that informed decisions lead to transformative outcomes, and that’s why we place such a high value on research and data. Our commitment is unwavering: to rely exclusively on credible and respected sources in every facet of our work. Below are the trusted sources referenced in this article, reinforcing our dedication to evidence-based insights and practices.
About the Center for Parental Leave Leadership
Navigating the journey of parenthood while balancing a career has its share of beautiful moments and inevitable challenges. At the Center for Parental Leave Leadership, we’ve walked this path alongside countless families, and we understand the nuances, joys, and anxieties it brings. Rooted in 35 years of dedicated research, our RETAIN Parental Leave Coaching™ method is more than just a framework—it’s a labor of love.
We’re here to support, guide, and empower employers, managers, and parents to turn the transition of parental leave into a shared journey of growth, empathy, and connection. Because everyone deserves to experience this profound life transition with support, clarity, and grace. Click here to learn more about what we do and set up a free informational call. Let’s dive deeper and chat about how we can help you.
