Boss tells new mom "Bring the baby
to work!"
by Natalie J.
Damschroder
In 1994, when I discovered I was pregnant, it
was a shock, to put it mildly. And though the baby wasn't unwanted, my
husband and I weren't quite ready to face the challenges of
parenthood. Then real disaster struck.
Four days after the pregnancy was confirmed, I got laid off. I always
knew I'd breastfeed, and hoped I'd be able to take at least six months off work to do so. But financial concerns were
more immediate
I was collecting unemployment, but I let our worries push me
into starting temp work sooner than I'd planned. The first assignment
dragged on and on, and I was making less money than I had on
unemployment. So I told the agency I needed something else. We
jeopardized my position where I was so I could do a one-day assignment
for another company. It was the best thing I could have done.
After they'd called me back the third time, they offered me a
full-time position. "Thank you," I
said, both rejoicing (security!) and despairing (how
will I do this?). "I wanted to take three months off,
though," I told them, hoping they wouldn't
rescind the offer. "I plan to nurse the baby." "Bring
the baby to work," my future boss said. I was stunned. I'd never expected that. But there was a precedent. The boss's
daughter, the company controller, had brought
her baby to work for several months so she could breastfeed.
We've had a total of four office babies since the first. I bring
McKenna, my 4 month old, to work with me now.
Our company has been profiled in local newspapers, and the program has
been instrumental in awards the president has won. We've mentioned it
repeatedly in our newsletter, and our clients love hearing the baby
gurgling when I answer the phone.
It's an unusual circumstance in an industry, such as a nursing
clothing manufacturer, that doesn't cater to mothers, and a testament
to one woman's dedication to her employees, and the mothers'
dedication to their children. I am grateful every day that I got laid
off.
The
