Family-friendly workplaces
Support the implementation of policies, practices, and programs that enable workers to fulfill parenting roles and meet responsibilities at work, focus on maternity protection and child nutrition support.
At Alive & Thrive, we believe that no woman should have to choose between income security and the health of themselves or their children. Family-friendly policies, like maternity protection and workplace breastfeeding support, have been proven to improve the health and well-being of mothers and children and attract more females to the workforce.
"Increased productivity, less absenteeism, improved employer-employee relationships, and reduced illness are just a few of these. So, it’s a win-win to invest in workforce nutrition.”
Clara Tessler, ofi’s former global Nutrition & Health Manager
Our Solution
Mothers can continue breastfeeding when they return to work, but in order to do so, they need access to accurate information and timely support from their family and community; the healthcare system; and their employers. Providing mothers with ‘Time, Space, and Support’ for breastfeeding can increase breastfeeding rates and increase worker morale and commitment to the company as well as reduce absenteeism and turnover among female employees:
Time
Adopt and implement maternity protection and breastfeeding policies, in line with local regulations and global recommendations.
Space
Set up and operate lactation rooms for mothers to breastfeed or express and store breastmilk.
Support
Provide training for line managers and staff on how to use the lactation rooms and
recommended nutrition practices for women and children, creating a culture that supports breastfeeding mothers and promotes fathers’ involvement.
In five garment factories of Inditex in Vietnam and Cambodia:
During late 2022, workplace lactation support interventions have improved awareness of recommended breastfeeding practices by up to 79% and increased staff satisfaction by up to 62%.
In 11 factories of ofi in Vietnam:
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Female workers who have lactation breaks are nearly 62 times more likely to continue breastfeeding than those who do not;
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Female workers who are supported and encouraged by their colleagues and/or supervisors are more than twice as likely to continue breastfeeding than those who do not