OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — When we visited Candace Clow she wasn't ready to be back at work full-time, but she still wanted to connect with her team so she brought her 2-month-old baby girl to work with her. A Pack 'n Play sits next to her desk, and she's able to breastfeed when Charley needs her.
Clow is a co-owner of Ventura Medstaff in Northwest Omaha. We learned about her and baby Charley when we saw this Facebook post.
Ventura Medsaff, which staffs nurses and therapists, just opened this fall. They employ fewer than twenty people with plans to grow. When discussing their business model, they decided they wanted to be "pro-family." "We keep saying it's like a village we want to create where employees feel supported inside and outside of work," Clow said.
They've taken a page from Patagonia's childcare policy. They also hope to soon provide free, on-site childcare for children who are younger than school age.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports the number of working moms with children under the age of three has nearly doubled. It was 34.3 percent in 1975 and is now 61.4 percent.
When Clow had her first child, Thomas, and worked for another company, she had an awful but not uncommon feeling. "I remember having to fly out to Boston and thinking I'm the worst mother because I'm choosing my career over being at home-that's the thought that went through my head."
Clow hopes her company can support employees' individual needs and help curb those feelings. "I am 100 percent in belief that a happy employee, one that feels supported, is going to be at their best for you."
