Each October, we recognize National Work and Family Month—a time to recognize progress toward creating more flexible work environments for caregivers. After grappling with a global pandemic, work-life balance is more important now than ever.

At Herman Miller, we value working parents and acknowledge the challenges anyone can face in their personal lives. Many free benefits and resources are offered to support a healthy work-life balance including:

- Paid parental leave
- Employee Assistance Program – a program through Health Advocate designed to help employees navigate and balance work, life, and personal responsibilities
- Milk Stork – a hassle-free service for traveling mothers to ship breast milk home overnight
- The Source – a nonprofit in West Michigan that helps employees and members of their household overcome barriers
- Bright Horizons – a service connecting individuals to daycare centers or caregivers for an elder and offers resources on parental guidance
- Mother’s/Retreat Rooms – private, furnished rooms in our facilities that can be used for  relaxation, meditation, prayer, or lactation

In 2020, Working Mother named Herman Miller one of the “Best Companies for Dads,” and in 2017/2019, one of the "100 Best Companies" for leadership in family benefits.

This month, we’re celebrating our working parents and all that they do!

Within Our Company

The Generations Equity Team, our employee resource group advocating for all generations to work together and learn from one another, organized a live conversation with Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Global Insights and Research New Business Innovation at Herman Miller, who spoke on the future of work and how it uniquely challenges and empowers parents and caregivers.

 Among Our Families

The Working Parents Team, a subset of the Generations Equity Team, shared printable coloring pages for adults and children as well as the infamous Eames Elephant, inspired by the boundless curiosity and playful spirit of designers Charles and Ray Eames. The Working Parents Team connects parents to other parents as well as to benefits and resources.

Meet Some of Our Working Parents Around the Globe

Leslie - Designer, Herman Miller Mexico

Q: What is a favorite family activity you do together?

A: We love to exercise together, watch Marvel Studios and Star Wars movies, make pancakes, travel, and discover new places.

Q: How has parenthood/caregiving made you a better team member/leader?

A: Being a single mother is a huge responsibility. I want to influence my son to be a good person and care about our planet.

Jana - Area Sales, Vice President, Herman Miller

Q: What is the best advice you've received as a parent/caregiver?

A: To enjoy the small moments. There will be birthdays, celebrations, accomplishments, heartaches, and suffering, and the big moments are easy to be present for. Taking time to be present in the small moments, whether it is a meaningful conversation in the car on the way to sports practice or having an extra-long hug before they go off to school can be important moments of joy!

Q: What factors keep you engaged in the workforce?

A: Taking time for mental breaks throughout the day and week is important. As is vacation time. Being able to decompress and come back mentally strong is critical to one's well-being.

Garth - Territory Manager, Herman Miller Canada

Q: What strengths do you admire most in other parents/caregivers on your team?

A: The self-sacrifice to give the best opportunities and experiences to their children.

Q: What is your hope for your child(ren)?

A: That they grow to be moral people who put others first and build a better world around them.

Dylan - Facilitator, Herman Miller

Q: What is the best advice you've received as a parent/caregiver?

A: Don't take yourself too seriously that you forget to laugh, play, and act like a kid again.

Q: What factors keep you engaged in the workforce?

A: The pursuit to continually make my team's jobs better every day. The thought of being able to move the needle in the right direction and say that we are not only maintaining but also improving, while helping to build each other and coach each other every day whether we know it or not. 

Thomas - Manufacturing Associate, Herman Miller

Q: What is your hope for your child(ren)?

A: That they would grow into their own and be unafraid to pursue their own vision.

Q: How has parenthood/caregiving made you a better team member/leader?

A: I am a much better listener. Having kids who communicate in very different ways than I do has forced me to learn new communication techniques and to learn to see things from new perspectives.