Lincoln Littles and the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) are thrilled to announce the beginning of a new certification program that highlights family-friendly businesses throughout the Lincoln community—the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplaces Certification Program.

The purpose of the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplaces Certification Program is to help businesses attract and sustain a strong, inclusive local workforce through implementing family-friendly workplace policies.

The certification program recognizes employers who demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting working families with young children, implement family-friendly workplace practices for their employees and help make Lincoln a great place to live, work and play by prioritizing family-well being and early childhood support.

“Family-friendly policies aren’t just the right thing to do, they’re a smart business strategy,” says Anne Brandt, Executive Director of Lincoln Littles.

“Supporting working parents through initiatives such as childcare assistance helps companies attract talent, reduce turnover and build a stronger, more resilient workforce. When employers support families, everyone benefits,” Brandt concludes.

To gain certification, employers must meet at least 7 out of 10 qualifying criteria. The qualifying criteria include items such as paid parental leave, flexible scheduling or remote/hybrid work options, caregiver support resources and more.

Each step of the certification process includes examples of how businesses can meet criteria in each category. Complete details on the workplaces certification program can be found at https://www.selectlincoln.org/lincoln-family-friendly-workplaces-certification.

Supporting the expansion of local early childhood education and care capacity is at the heart of one pillar of the Vitality Lincoln Strategic Plan, as part of LPED’s efforts to build a diverse talent base to help grow companies through workforce development initiatives.

“The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development is committed to cultivating a robust talent pipeline that supports Lincoln’s evolving business community. By ensuring working parents have access to quality early childhood education, we are not only helping families thrive, we are also strengthening their participation in Lincoln’s workforce,” says Allison Hatch, Director of Workforce Development at LPED and Board of Advisors member for Lincoln Littles.

“As companies develop family-centered workplace support, they are showing their commitment to not only their employees and their futures, but also the future of this community and it’s ability to grow into the future,” Hatch adds.

Those awarded certification through the Lincoln Family-Friendly Workplaces program receive placement on a public map available for job seekers and families, inclusion on the LPED and Lincoln Littles websites and social media platforms, recognition at LPED and Lincoln Chamber of Commerce events and a certification decal and digital badge for website and other promotional use.

To apply, workplaces will complete the free self-assessment application online, which takes around 15 minutes to complete. Applications will be reviewed quarterly by the Lincoln Littles Board of Advisors Engagement Committee.

For more information on Engagement Committee meetings and a certification review timeline, contact Anne Brandt, Executive Director of Lincoln Littles, at anne.brandt@lincolnlittles.org.