Fairbanks Chamber Weekly Business Luncheon: Family Friendly Workplace Awards

Brenda Riley, Fairbanks North Star Borough Early Childhood Development Commission Chair

The Early Childhood Development Commission recognizes local employers who help their employees balance work and family responsibilities. Not only does a "family friendly" philosophy create a more productive work environment and greater employee loyalty and morale, it also contributes to families raising children that become better students and citizens. The research supports that children benefit from employers' family friendly practices, and that employers also benefit (higher productivity, employee loyalty, good reputation, reduced turnover, reduced training costs). The Commission uses the Family Friendly Workplace Awards to encourage employers to consider improving their family friendly practices.