This can only be good news for parents wanting to go back to work.

We’re all obsessed with obtaining the perfect work/life balance, maybe this is the answer.

Many parents cringe when they hear the term ‘work/life balance,’ and as a parent I absolutely see why. The term brings us angst. We all wish and hope for a perfect life balance but in reality it’s probably not achievable.

One Fortune 500 company in the US is trying to rectify this problem and is actively trying to help parents spend more time with their kids.

As reported in Reuters, the company introduced a program known as STAR (Support, Transform, Achieve, Results) and had management and employee participation in the study monitored and researched by Pennsylvania State University.

The program was implemented over four months over six different training sessions, with each session attempting to change the culture of the workplace to be results-based instead of dependent on where and when work was conducted.

The lead author of the study by Pennsylvania University, Kelly Davis noted, “a better family life makes a person more productive and satisfied at work.”

After discussions with many working parents, and as a working parent myself, I know this to be true.

As parents we work hard so we can play hard. If I know I’m spending quality time with my kids, I’m less worried and stressed about my work. Similarly, I find if I feel valued by my employer, and they value my life situation, then I work harder to complete my work efficiently and to exceptional standards.

This particular study was small but shows notable results. The university study family/work time from 57 employees who participated in the program compared to 36 who did not.

The employees who took part in the program, all parents, reported spending, on average, 39 minutes more with their children each day. The increase was almost entirely seen by mothers.

Women who did not participate in the  program found they spent up to 70 minutes less with their children once the year was up. The overall average change of all employees not participating in the program was 24 minutes less with their children each day.

Importantly, those participating did not work any less than those not participating. An average of 46 hours a week was worked throughout the year by all employees.

As a  mother, and a working professional, I look at these numbers and finally see some positive news.

Should results-based training be implement similarly in Australian companies? I think so.

With the increasingly connected digital world employers are finally seeing the value in work of employees not based on their geographical location but their skills, work ethic and overall results for the business.

Studies such as this one are proving the benefits of such practices and this can only mean positives things for parents wanting to be part of the work force.

Does your employer offer a family friendly work environment?

Want more? Try:

An open letter to every working mum-to-be.

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