On September 9th, eighteen San Francisco employers who prioritize parental leave, work-family balance, and lactation accommodations were recognized by the Healthy Mothers Workplace Coalition – a public-private collaboration of employers, non-profits, and government agencies.
At the ceremony today, businesses and organizations were awarded for their best practice policies by Board of Supervisors President David Chiu, Supervisor Malia Cohen, Rear Admiral Nadine Simons of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Ann O’Leary of Next Generation, and Dr. Emily Murase of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women.
Due to the lack of federal policies, working parents often have to rely on employer policies around time off, pay, and lactation support. However, these policies can differ significantly across job sectors and class and cause disparities in maternal and child health, and in women’s equity in the workplace.
Healthy Mothers Workplace Award winners demonstrated supportive policies for working mothers. Awardees include LinkedIn Corporation, Bi-Rite Market and Creamery, Morrison & Foerster LLP, and Square Inc.
“When businesses make it easier for employees to breastfeed their babies longer, the child and the mother are more healthy,” said Curtis Chan, Medical Director, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health.
Board of Supervisors President David Chiu added, “By recognizing those organizations that are ensuring supportive environments and finding creative ways to improve policies for their mothers, the award is helping to educate employers and show that all workplaces can be family-friendly.”
“Morrison & Foerster is honored to be recognized by the Healthy Mothers Workplace Coalition for our ongoing efforts on behalf of the firm’s working mothers,” said Anna Erickson White, managing partner of Morrison & Foerster. “Everyone at Morrison & Foerster is committed to creating a supportive work environment that allows our lawyers to excel in their careers while meeting the demands of raising healthy and happy families.”
“Too often workers–primarily women–are forced to choose between family and their jobs,” said Julia Parish, attorney with the Legal Aid Society – Employment Law Center.
Dr. Emily Murase, Executive Director of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women said, “Breastfeeding accommodations are a cornerstone of family-friendly workplaces. It’s not just a women’s issue. This is a 21 Century workplace issue and I’m proud San Francisco is taking the lead.”
For more information, please visit www.healthymothersworkplace.org