Parenting is one of the most challenging tasks in life. According to a study by Welch's, the workload of being a parent is similar to having 2.5 full-time jobs. Navigating life as a parent and having a professional career is extremely tough.
However, in a remote-first company like MailerLite, flexibility helps parents to thrive both personally and professionally.
In this article, we delve into the benefits of remote work for parents, look at how MailerLite’s founders set a culture that enables parents to thrive, and share insights from team members who are navigating their parenting journey while working at MailerLite.
Remote work vs in-office work as a parent
Remote work brings a different set of benefits and challenges when compared to the conventional office environment. While the office provides structure and face-to-face interactions, remote work offers flexibility and autonomy, two perks that can be game-changers in shaping work-life balance for parents.
As a father, the experience of working from home offers me several advantages. The foremost benefit is the flexibility it provides, allowing me more time for meaningful bonding with my family. There is no need to dress up or lose time on the daily commute, the positive aspects far outweigh the drawbacks
As a parent, working from home has been incredibly beneficial. I get to witness every moment of my children’s growth and not miss a single aspect of their childhood.
The only downside is that children are naturally messy and loud making it hard to concentrate, luckily, this can be alleviated by having a dedicated office space within the house.
Parenting at MailerLite
When you look at MailerLite's story, it’s no surprise that we support working parents. MailerLite was founded by a young couple during their first years as parents, and they had a clear vision of how to balance both parenthood and the experience of building a company.
This helped us understand the unique challenges parents face, shaping a culture that supports employees through every milestone of their life.
As we’ve grown, the number of parents in our team has increased. We currently have over 30 parents in our company, representing almost one-quarter of the team’s total members.
Unique benefits for parents
MailerLite embraces inclusivity and offers various benefits to support employees on their parenting journey. On top of the benefits offered to all employees, parents also get the following:
Parental days: 1 day off per month to share special time with your child or children
Parental budget: For anyone who welcomes a new child into their family through childbirth or adoption
Paternity leave: 1 month paid bonding time at 100% of your salary when welcoming a new child into your family
Maternity leave: 3 months paid bonding time at 100% of your salary when welcoming a new child into your family
Sick leaves: Parents can use their 12 days of sick leave to take care of themselves or their children
As a parent you always want your kid to explore new places. With Parental Days we can explore new places and enjoy a carefree time together as a family. This time has such intrinsic value, that it is hard to put in words. And the best part is that I can support my wife to continue with her handcraft business while I spend time with my daughter
I remember when I was working in an office before, and my child would get sick, I couldn’t leave work to take care of him unless I said it was me who was sick.
It’s so great that at MailerLite Sick leaves allow us to take care of our little ones when needed
Work-life balance: The importance of a supporting environment
Central to MailerLite's culture is the promotion of work-life balance. We foster a supportive environment through initiatives in our #well-being and #parents Slack channels. Parents can use the latter to connect, share experiences, and seek advice.
Open communication and empathetic leaders also play a crucial role in ensuring that parents feel understood and valued in the workplace.
In a recent survey, we asked parents how supported they felt by their direct leaders when it came to being a working parent. The average reply was 4.8 out of 5, showing that parents feel supported by their managers and colleagues.
I can strategically plan my days off to coincide with significant milestones in my children's lives, such as birthdays, graduations, or special family celebrations, ensuring I can fully participate in these memorable moments
I love that I can use my Parental days when the girls have an event in school. As a mom, I want to make sure I'm always there clapping for the success
Supporting parents on their career journey
In addition to offering benefits for specific needs and fostering a supportive culture, we actively encourage parents in their career progression.
This includes providing opportunities for professional growth, flexible work hours, and mentorship. By investing in the growth and well-being of parents, MailerLite ensures that they can thrive both personally and professionally, promoting loyalty in the long run.
MailerLite exemplifies how to navigate the intersection of parenthood and career. As remote work continues to evolve, more companies can look into our practices in supporting working parents.
