Zutano Supports Employees By Letting Them Bring Their Babies To Work
(Cabot, VT; November 17, 2003) Babies provide the basis for everything that is Zutano - from the fit and style of our clothing, to the huggable plush toys we create, our mission has always focused solely on the comfort, happiness and healthy growth of babies. Zutano was in fact founded by two loving new parents wearing babes in snugglies while they worked. It's no surprise then that the brand new sons and daughters of today's Zutano employees are welcomed with extended arms into the company's workplace. Following a carefully customized maternity/paternity policy, new mothers or fathers are encouraged to bring their baby to work.How it Works
Zutano's Bring Baby to Work program is available for babies up to 12 months old and is applicable for both adopted and birth children. For parents who chose an outside childcare provider, Zutano reimburses a percentage of their approved childcare costs for the same twelve-month period (for safety reasons, not every employee's position can be tailored to accommodate an infant). Zutano also offers new parents scheduling flexibility, easing the stress of squeezing in all of those post and pre-natal appointments and general doctors visits. "This policy is a natural evolution of the company's core value system and growth", states Steve Kandrac the company's COO. Denise Towne, one of Zutano's first employees to use the new program, states, "I couldn't imagine leaving my little boy Patrick in daycare when he was a newborn. I am thankful for the opportunity that I was given to share in every moment of his first year without having to sacrifice my career. He was welcomed and loved in the office as part of the growing Zutano family." Amanda Gravel (in photo below), another new Zutano parent, says, "If I have to go to a meeting, I ask a co-worker to watch my baby, Zaccari, or I just bring him along."
Supporting Mother and Baby
Michael Belenky, founder and president of Zutano, notes, "In today's stressful world, with both parents working, it is often difficult to juggle work and family life while maintaining the quality of both. But we've discovered that when employees are supported at home, they perform better at work and are happier about being here." New mothers who have the opportunity to work alongside their child are able to focus more acutely on their job without constantly worrying about the welfare of their little ones in daycare. The babies benefit as well. Since the first year of a child's life is such a critical period for bonding and emotional development, a baby that is given reliable and loving attention by it's mother and supporting family (in this case caring coworkers) during this period will ultimately be a happier and more self-assured little person. "We are currently experiencing a little baby boom here in the office," says Michael, "You'd think that even one child would cause a distraction, but these kids get such terrific attention, and are simply so happy to be next to mom - they're on their best behavior every single day. In honesty, from mother to child to customer service and accounting - our office is a happier, more relaxed, yet powerfully productive environment when there are little ones around."
One Great Working Family
Every member of the Zutano team contributes to the success of the new maternity/paternity policy - human support is key, though to make the arrangement physically possible the building that houses Zutano's headquarters has been thoughtfully modified to accommodate the presence of babies; a number of private offices have been outfitted with cribs, toys and hanging mobiles, a comfy changing table adorns the company bathroom, and the newly renovated photo studio is wall to wall carpeted and furnished with soft chairs and quiet corners to provide a private space for nursing moms or occasionally fussy babes.
When present in the work environment, Zutano's littlest members even join in the everyday business of a children's wear company. Perfect fit and photo models, the always available babies of Zutano mothers are frequently called upon to test the size or cut of new garments - for Zutano's creative design team, there's nothing quite like having a living model to measure against new samples. And when the finished garments arrive, emergency photo shoots can be organized in the space of an afternoon.
With a total of 25 employees Zutano is still small enough to feel like a large family. Supporting one another is second nature and the joy one experiences in watching a smiling baby giggle, or feeling the grasp of a tiny newborn hand, is shared by everyone present. A proper team, Zutano's dedicated employees work magnificently with each other, as a fully functional, growing business AND a physically and emotionally supportive family. The result of such care and cooperation: one fashionably successful company that is breaking new ground to prove that It is possible to maintain a full-time job while keeping your full-time new family close to heart.
