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We need to support parents in our organizations and ensure we keep working parents happy and in the workplace. When parents are supported at work, it’s better for them, their families and for our businesses. This talk walks through the environment we are currently in and what tangible steps that we can all take on our teams and for ourselves as parents in order to ensure that we are supported in the workplace. The Rails community is always a leader in this space, so let’s ensure our workplaces are the best that they can be.
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In this talk, Kinsey Durham Grace addresses the crucial need to support working parents in the technology sector, particularly within the Rails community. She shares insights from her experiences as a parent and her research conducted within the community, focusing on the challenges of guilt and loneliness that many parents face in the tech industry. Key Points Discussed: - **Personal Background**: Kinsey introduces herself and her roles at GitHub, emphasizing her involvement in the company’s employee resource group (ERG) for parents, 'ParentCats'. - **Community Support**: The necessity of supportive communities in the workplace is highlighted. Kinsey describes her experience with loneliness upon returning to work after maternity leave and how joining 'ParentCats' helped her connect with other parents, share experiences, and receive moral support. - **Policy Initiatives**: Kinsey discusses how 'ParentCats' has influenced company policies at GitHub, such as offering 20 weeks of paid parental leave and support for breastfeeding and child care. - **Addressing Guilt**: She elaborates on the pervasive issue of guilt among working parents regarding time management and prioritization between work responsibilities and family needs. Kinsey encourages parents to block time for personal and family activities on their calendars to alleviate guilt and improve work-life balance. - **Communication and Vulnerability**: The importance of open communication within teams is stressed. Kinsey shares her personal experiences of being vulnerable about her struggles with postpartum depression, which helped improve team dynamics and support. - **Actions for Non-Parents**: Kinsey urges colleagues without children to understand the challenges parents face and to offer support, such as encouraging parents to take time off when necessary and sharing responsibilities at work. - **Call to Action**: She concludes by inspiring all attendees, whether parents or not, to take tangible steps to create an environment that supports working parents, aiming for a culture of empathy, understanding, and proactive communication. The main takeaway from Kinsey's presentation is that building a supportive workplace for parents not only benefits employees but also enhances the overall morale and productivity of organizations. By fostering community and actionable support systems, organizations can create an inclusive environment that respects and accommodates the needs of working parents.
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