BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana has launched a statewide initiative aimed at recognizing employers that adopt family-friendly workplace policies, as two business and policy groups introduce The Best Place for Working Parents® Louisiana.
The Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children announced the partnership Wednesday, marking the state’s entry into a national network that highlights businesses supporting working families.
The program centers on a free, three-minute online self-assessment that allows employers to evaluate whether they meet criteria for the Best Place for Working Parents® designation. Businesses that qualify can use the designation to signal their commitment to family-friendly practices.
The assessment measures employers against 10 research-backed policies tied to workforce performance and business outcomes. It also provides a real-time dashboard comparing results with similar organizations by size and industry.
State and national data cited by the organizations underscore the economic impact of family-related workplace challenges. Employees with family care benefits report 45% higher productivity and 40% lower absenteeism, according to the release. In Louisiana, parental absences are estimated to cost businesses $762 million annually due to missed work and turnover, with a broader $1.3 billion impact on the state economy.
Child care access remains a key factor in workforce participation. More than 70% of parents report they could not work without reliable child care, while many still experience disruptions that require time away from work.
“Louisiana’s children and families thrive when employers recognize that supporting working parents is good for business and for our state’s future,” said Dr. Libbie Sonnier, chief executive officer of the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children.
Tim Magner, chair of the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, said the initiative highlights a growing recognition among employers that family-friendly policies can serve as a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining workers.
The program also includes access to research on return on investment for each policy and case studies of local employers implementing such practices. The assessment and designation are available to businesses of all sizes.