RedefinED Atlanta earned a Best Place for Working Parents designation in 2025 and 2026 in recognition of our family-friendly policies and practices. As our Chief of Staff, I am proud of this achievement because it acknowledges our deep commitment to families and, by extension, our commitment to students.
What makes a workplace “family-friendly,” and what do family-friendly policies look like in practice? One of our employees captures it well:
“A truly family-friendly workplace is one that actively synchronizes with the realities of modern parenting rather than forcing parents to work around rigid corporate structures. This includes creating work schedules that account for both school schedules and the broader academic year. This means offering flexible start/end times and, ideally, office closures that align with typical school breaks. Beyond scheduling, family-friendly practices must include comprehensive benefits packages with insurance premiums and family rates that are genuinely affordable.”
RedefinED’s family-friendly policies and practices include the following:
- Unlimited PTO
- Office-wide holidays and wellness weeks, aligned with local school calendars
- Hybrid roles
- Flexible scheduling
- Dependent care flex spending accounts
- Robust parental leave
- A judgement-free culture
After reflecting with several employees, I’m happy to report that we do this exceptionally well. “RedefinED’s support is DRAMATICALLY different from any other organization I have experienced and has made it possible for me to grow and care for my family while still growing my career,” said one. “In other organizations, I felt I had to make the choice of work over self and family to be successful. At RedefinED, I feel I get to lead with family first.”
Family-friendly policies are vital for the sustainability of our organization, as another employee describes, “employees don’t simply stop being people once they clock in. When workplaces support families, they help reduce burnout and create a more sustainable work environment. This also signals to me that we as an organization value long-term well-being over short-term output.”
But family-friendly policies are also vital to our community; they support a thriving economy and open new opportunities to uplift our children.
“Family-friendly workplaces can directly and indirectly increase educational access and opportunities for children. When parents have flexibility and stability, they can be more involved in their children’s education, attend school events, support learning at home, and respond to academic or emotional needs.”
“Women make up about half of the population, yet as we look at higher-level professional roles, they are not equally represented in those roles. One aspect of that is that women still carry the majority of childcare and household invisible labor. If we want women to fully participate in our economy, we need to work to eliminate the inequities that keep them from fully participating in work. One aspect of the solution is having workplaces that truly accept and expect equal parental loads.”
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and “family” can mean those we love and care for, not just parents and children. Ultimately, “family-friendly” policies are people-friendly policies. As one employee shared, “Even though I’m not a parent yet, I benefit from the same flexibility, understanding, and work-life balance. These policies undoubtedly make it easier to manage personal responsibilities and stay engaged at work.”
Family-friendly policies serve as an example of how to support all employees, not just parents, in leading a life of balance and choice. My own experience brings these policies into sharp relief. When my mother needed full-time care, a flexible work schedule allowed me to spend meaningful time by her side, continuing quiet work while ensuring she wasn’t alone. I was also able to coordinate doctor’s appointments, navigate benefits, and arrange care without stepping away from my professional role. And when the time came, flexible PTO made it possible for me to be fully present through hospice, funeral arrangements, and bereavement. It’s a powerful example of what it means to be supported as a whole person, and how that support strengthens the families and communities we serve.
I see every day how our team benefits from family-friendly policies because they are built on a foundation of acceptance, understanding, and care. We use them to care for partners, parents, siblings, friends, and every other manner of extended and chosen family. We use them to care for ourselves. All of which also contributes to a more effective workplace, a healthier economy, and a more positive impact for students in our community and beyond.