"Why not? If it makes the parents lives easier, creates a flexible work-life balance," said Jennifer Barnes, CEO of Optima Office.SAN DIEGO — We've all heard of companies that allow people to bring their pets to work. Now some companies are allowing employees to bring their babies to work. Not just for one day, but for as long as they like."We consider ourselves a very flexible company in general," said Optima Office CEO Jennifer Barnes.
Optima has 100 employees in total throughout multiple states. According to Barnes, the San Diego location has about fifteen to sixteen employees in the office on a daily basis. , as of 2021, there were more than 200 companies in the United States that allow babies at work, including some government agencies.
Professor Chung said the list of cons include distraction, both for the parents and other employees. She points out that employees without children may feel resentment. There's also potential legal issues, if the child gets into something he or she is not supposed to. She said some companies have a cut-off age where babies are no longer allowed at work once they're able to crawl.
"I think if it's a small organization with private rooms, I think that might work," said Professor Chung."If it's a larger organization with cubicles, that might be difficult."Braedon Stern does not have children. He is a recent college graduate who has been employed at the company for a year. He is also Barnes' neighbor.
" pretty much know everybody," said Walker."It's so awesome to have that flexibility, they're part of the team, part of the family."According to the Parenting in the Workplace Institute, no formal studies were done on the productivity level of employees who bring their babies to work. However, Carla Moquin, the founder of the organization told CBS 8: