NAIC Reaches 20-Year Milestone of Bringing Babies to Work

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 -- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners issued the following news release:

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is celebrating 20 years of its Infants in the Workplace program on Friday, Aug. 11 at Kansas City's Crown Center with a celebration for parents and children who have participated in the program.

Infants in the Workplace is one of NAIC's many employee benefits that support a work-life balance. Parents with newborns are allowed to bring babies to work through the age of six months. In the last two decades, 161 infants have participated in this unique program.

"This unique benefit program demonstrates the value NAIC places on our employees and their families," said Andy Beal, NAIC Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer. "We've created a positive, family-friendly environment that has enhanced employee productivity and loyalty." The program was developed in 1997 after a state insurance department started allowing babies at work. That inspired then-NAIC CEO Cathy Weatherford to create the NAIC's program.

"Our initial goal with the program was to reduce employee turnover, said Brent Roper, NAIC Director of Human Resources. "We were seeing a lot of moms not return to work after having babies. Replacing and training new employees was creating both costs and loss for the organization."

Infants in the Workplace helps recruit and retain outstanding employees. The NAIC has been recognized nationally for excellence in work-life balance because of programs like Infants in the Workplace. The average NAIC employee tenure (8.72 years) more than doubles the national average (4.2) and program participants' average tenure is 9.34.

"Both of my daughters are graduates of Infants in the Workplace," said Tracy Dodd, NAIC Assistant Director of Human Resources. "We've had a number of employees -- moms and dads -- repeat their participation. This program sends a clear message to employees that family is important to the NAIC."