How Inviting Your Employees’ Parents into the Office Can Improve Engagement
Today’s workforce isn’t seeking work-life balance, instead they’re looking for a work-life blend.
A new generation of employees is rapidly becoming a major part of the global workforce: millennials. Today, they make up 35% of the total U.S. workforce and will rise to 46% by 2020. They have different expectations and perspectives when it comes to the work world and there are unique opportunities for employers to meet them.
Millennials tend to blur the lines between their work and personal lives more than other generation, even when it comes to perks. Perks that give millennials an opportunity to informally connect with their colleagues or bring their friends/family into their work life are high on their list of wants.
At LinkedIn, our number one operating priority is our talent– securing it, developing it and fostering a culture that sets us apart as a company and makes people proud to be a part of. As a result, we’re constantly looking at ways to improve and that’s one of the reasons why we pioneered Bring In Your Parents Day, returning for a fourth year on November 4th. It’s not just an opportunity to improve the relationship between a parent and their working child, but a chance for employers to improve the relationship they have with their employees.
One way companies can help employees bring their work and personal lives together is by giving them an opportunity to showcase what they do to their parents and loved ones. I’ve written previously about the support my parents have given me throughout my career, but bringing them into the workplace has allowed them to offer better career advice which in turn makes me a better professional.
While I can tell you firsthand on the value of taking part in Bring In Your Parents Day is don't just take my word for it. Following the success of last year’s event, we worked with the London School of Economics and ran a small focus group with previous BIYP participants to get their thoughts on how the day benefited them as a business. The group shared a number of insights, including 1) the positive impact the event had on both the employee and the parent, 2) how parents became more emotionally invested in their children’s employer, and 3) participating in the event had reputational value for the business since parents were more likely to recommend products or services.
Employees are the most important asset to any business. As more and more millennials enter the workforce, ensuring that they feel valued, respected, appreciated, and engaged is only going to become more important.
Take part in Bring In Your Parents Day on November 4th and reap the benefits.