Bank teller works with baby on her hip
EUGENE, Ore - Jasmine Mathisen has been bringing her son Remmy Mathisen to work for 5 months. Mathisen participates in her job's “Babies in the Workplace Program”.
Pacific Cascade Federal Credit Union in Eugene lets its employees bring their babies to work up until they are 8 months old or start crawling.
“Starting at 8:30am he'll come with me to work and then he's usually hear with me all day and so we're just a big family and everybody kind of pitches in and helps out,” said Mathisen.
But this program is not a child care facility at work. Employees monitor and even hold their babies while they are working.
“He's right behind me on the teller line and he's out here with me,” said Mathisen.
The CEO of the credit union said the program cuts back on staff shortages, the need for temporary leaves and the cost of childcare for employees. He also said the program encourages new mothers and fathers to return to work sooner.
“I feel very committed to our employees to make this a place that they want to work and in this environment we are able to identify, hire and retain good employees,” said Bob Harris.
Harris said the credit union has been offering the program for about 4 years. He said employees in the “Babies in the Workplace Program” have to sign a liability waiver and follow certain guidelines to participate in the program.
While the baby is supposed to remain in the primary care of the parent, Mathisen said sometimes co-workers lend a helping hand.
“We're a big family so I’ve got a lot of people that jump in and help out. The Branch mManager is like his Branch Grandma. So if he needs something she’s usually one of the first people that will come and help him out. The rest of the co-workers are really good about helping me if he needs a nap, or a bottle or just to be held for a minute,” said Mathisen.
