EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

US - Giving parents time off to look after their children or personal family matters is a good morale booster but companies should not neglect employees who do not have kids.

Companies should give non-parents the opportunity to leave early for personal reasons. Otherwise there could be friction or resentment at work where childless employees might feel they are treated unfairly when parents get time off for family matters, reported The Associated Press. It's important for a company not to perceive requests from childless employees as unreasonable because they might not understand why their colleagues get to take leave to care for a sick child or attend a school event.

Dave Reeves, president of Reeves Laverdure Public Relations, deems giving time off to both parents and non-parents as equally important because employers should be sensitive to their workers' priorities. One of his employees was given time to take her dog to the veterinarian. "That's her kid," Reeves said.

Paula Slotkin, owner of public relations firm, Topaz Partners, recognises that non-parents have events that are important to them too. Slotkin is tolerant with her employees taking time off as long as they get their work done. For example, she wouldn't ask someone to give up an opportunity to watch a game if they are passionate sports fans.

Employers shouldn't use the excuse that they fear workers would abuse the privilege for not giving them time off. Rick Gibbs, a senior human resources specialist with HR outsourcing provider, Administaff, said, "You might get burned, but the motivational advantages outweigh the occasional hornet's nest."

Hiring responsible people in the beginning should prevent any problems because they are more likely to not take advantage of the perk. Gibbs said companies should also factor work performance in to gauge if an employee can take time off.

Slotkin said what matters is that clients or colleagues can reach employees and technology such as smart phones can easily keep everyone connected.

Gibbs added, "With that loss of a little bit of time, you gain a lot of goodwill."

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