85 Ways to Be Supportive
Run out of ways to be supportive? Here are 85 potential programs and practices.
For working parents and caregivers . . .
1. Providing or subsidizing care for mildly ill children 2. Providing or subsidizing backup dependent care 3. Onsite childcare or preschool 4. Help finding childcare 5. Help finding eldercare and other caregiving resources 6. Help with summer care (providing, finding, subsidizing) 7. Pregnancy and infertility treatment 8. Prenatal care 9. Well-baby care 10. Single parenting assistance 11. Onsite K-12 school 12. Help with special needs children 13. Parenting support groups 14. Adoption assistance 15. Expert help with child development 16. Help finding colleges 17. College scholarships or tuition assistance 18. Geriatric caregivers
For better health, both mental and physical . . .
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19. Onsite fitness center 20. Health and wellness incentives 21. Onsite relaxation efforts 22. Stress reduction training or other stress management efforts 23. Safety training 24. Ergonomic workplace 25. Health club discounts 26. Sponsored athletics 27. Nutrition counseling 28. Lower insurance rates for nonsmokers 29. Support for those living with a disability 30. Grief and loss counseling 31. Help with personal relationships 32. Domestic violence counseling 33. Alcohol and drug abuse counseling 34. Gambling 35. Eating disorders 36. Help with other addictions
When a break from work is needed . . .
37. Paid (or unpaid) sabbaticals 38. Mental health days 39. Paid vacations 40. Paid paternity leave 41. Paid maternity leave 42. Paid adoption leave 43. Community service days
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44. Employee retreats 45. Play days
For a more rewarding career . . .
46. Ongoing skill-building, training and career counseling 47. Informal meetings with top executives 48. Ombudsperson 49. Diversity training 50. Relocation assistance 51. Assistance with business travel
To help make ends meet . . .
52. Mass transit reimbursement 53. Home mortgage assistance 54. Employee credit union 55. Group auto and home insurance 56. Group long term care insurance 57. Auto care 58. Merchandise discounts 59. Financial assistance, interest-free loans
To save both time and money . . .
60. Onsite restaurant with affordable food and healthy choices 61. Onsite snacks and beverages 62. Onsite bookstore 63. Onsite gift shop 64. Onsite medical facilities 65. Onsite pharmacy 66. Assistance in buying and leasing cars
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67. Home repairs 68. Real estate assistance (buying, selling and renting) 69. House cleanings 70. Continuation of benefits during military service 71. Retirement counseling 72. Tax preparation assistance 73. Will consultation 74. Attorney issues 75. Estate and probate law 76. Living wills 77. Sick days buy-back
To create a more flexible workplace
78. Use of telecommuting equipment at home 79. Option of working from home 80. Job sharing 81. Compressed workweeks 82. Reduced workload 83. Work redesign (splitting tasks to make jobs more appropriate for flexibility) 84. Flextime (altering starting and ending times) 85. Manager training for a more flexible workplace
No doubt there are more than 85 good ideas. If you come up with an additional approach, please let us know.
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