Feeling challenged and fulfilled in your career is important, but there are other things that matter in life, too. Employers are starting to catch on to that fact, and some are responding with policies that don't make employees choose between work and family. Among them are these Chicago tech companies, which all offer parental leave for both parents.
What they do: Raise is an online gift card marketplace and a provider of mobile gift card wallet solutions.
The policy: Employees at Raise get paid maternity and paternity leave, as well as adoption credit and paid leave for family bonding.
Other perks: The company provides breakfast and healthy snacks to its employees every day, as well as tuition reimbursements and paid time off for volunteering. Employees also get a comprehensive benefits package with health, vision, dental, disability and life insurance, and a matching 401(k).
What they do: Outcome Health creates smart displays and applications that provide health care consumers with actionable information they can use to better manage their health.
The policy: Outcome Health provides 16 weeks of 100 percent paid maternity leave and additional paid time off and remote working opportunities for fathers. Employees also get a week of marriage leave and financial support for fertility treatments.
Other perks: Employees at Outcome Health get a 401(k) and provided healthcare benefits. The company also has an in-office barista, and it provides free breakfast and lunch.
What they do: Braintree builds payments software used by merchants in more than 40 countries around the world.
The policy: Braintree offers paid parental leave, flexible scheduling, opportunities to work from home, a dedicated mother’s room, family-friendly events and subsidized child care.
Other perks: Employees also get tuition reimbursement, career planning, a matching 401(k) and competitive health benefits. Braintree also has a regular hosted community events, paid vacation and transgender health benefits.
What they do: Neighborhoods.com is an online portal for prospective home buyers that provides advanced search tools and in-depth content to help the customer hone in on the right neighborhood.
The policy: Neighborhoods.com offers paid maternity and paternity leave.
Other perks: The company’s employees get medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible vacation and work from home policies, and a fully stocked kitchen with coffee, snacks and soda. Neighborhoods.com also has cold-brew coffee and craft beer on tap, a pre-tax Ventra program and secure bike storage.
What they do: Sprout Social makes social media management and analytics tools that help brands build and maintain a strong social media presence.
The policy: Sprout offers its employees a progressive parental leave program.
Other perks: Employees at Sprout enjoy generous insurance and benefit options, wellness initiatives centered around health and financial well-being and in-office breakfast and lunch. Free Divvy memberships, transportation benefits and a sweet office located in the Loop don’t hurt, either.
