Empathy PTO - and other benefits that won't break the bank

One of my favorite parts of our new, Empathy@Work Accelerator course is the workplace testimonials -

Practitioners share the good...and the challenging aspects of bringing more empathy to the workplace through meaningful actions that make a difference.

Monique Charlebois is one of those pros.  She is the VP of People and Culture at the Morales Group and an all-around lovely person.  

A few years ago, she was faced with a common HR challenge - make our benefits friendlier/more competitive, but don't spend a lot of money!

Empathy PTO was one of the benefits she instituted that year.  And the impact came, in a really human way, in the first few months after the policy.

A teammate was able to take the extra time off to be at the bedside of her dynig sister - "that time was so very meaningful" she reflected.

You can hear more about the policy (and the impact) from Monique here...

Empathy PTO is a great example of a policy that makes values manifest.  Thinking creatively, Monique and her team provided a category of PTO that could be used with flexibility, allowing employees to take the time they needed during seasons of disruption.

What are some ways that you would incorporate something similar at your company?

What I'm watching

As the world seems increasing chaotic and the public sphere is dominated by contentious voices, I'm revisiting the energy of Mr. Rogers.

If you haven't seen this marvelous documentary, Won't You Be My Neighbor, I can't recommend it enough!  

With purposeful wisdom and immense patience, Mr. Rogers offers wisdom for our times.