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Empowering Parents at Home and the Workplace

This is the third part of a series highlighting GM Financial’s team member-led Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). The mission of these groups is to serve as a resource for employees, to ensure professional development among members and to positively impact the community by achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace. Each ERG is a grassroots initiative created and managed by employees, for employees.

Do you ever have one of those days where you just sit back and wonder, “How do I juggle every little thing with being a working parent?” You’re not alone.

In 2018, GM Financial’s Working Parents ERG was founded as a place for all team members, whether or not they are actively parenting, to come together in an inclusive space and support one another as they tackle the different stages of parenthood.

“The Working Parents ERG offers something for everyone, regardless of if you have children or not,” says Dani Wiedel, Working Parents NA chair. “As the leaders of the ERG, it’s our responsibility to educate through sharing resources, empathize through sharing experiences and network with each other by creating moments of connection.”

Roxanna Davila, Working Parents México and Peru chair, agrees. “It’s a great opportunity to gain access to a community of colleagues who understand and share similar challenges and experiences and build strong professional relationships with other working parents.”

Building a supportive network for parents

Each parent’s journey is unique and is only made more complex when work responsibilities are thrown into the mix. As team members facing their own sets of parental challenges, the leaders of the Working Parents ERG have fully committed to building a space that offers up a wide range of support for team members looking for a little help.

“Being able to have a safe space for our fellow working parents or guardians to come and feel supported by others who understand the challenges we face is so rewarding,” says Jodi Dounis, Working Parents NA co-chair.

While every parenting story is unique, listening and learning from stories of others’ parenthoods can be inspiring for those looking to not only tackle the challenges that it offers but to also thrive as a parent and as a teammate.

“I grew up in a family where I saw my mother and father work as a team, shoulder to shoulder in their two great life projects: their children and the start-up of a family business,” says Roxanna. “I have always admired them for their work-life balance, and one of my goals has been to continue that legacy of helping others.”

Through live events and active Viva Engage internal social networking communities, members of the Working Parents ERG are encouraged to share their stories — successes, struggles, ideas, thoughts and all. They not only come away with new knowledge to support their own families but also the feeling that they’re a part of a larger community that is looking out for one another.

“It is reassuring to know that others have gone through life or are going through the same things I am as a working parent, such as securing last-minute child care; determining summer camps, vacations and activities; handling sleep regression; and other key milestones,” says Dani. “Encouraging others to share what resources work for them and tell their stories and experiences has been so rewarding.”

Mindfulness May meetup

Back in May, the Working Parents NA chapter hosted a virtual event, in collaboration with Women’s Inspiration Network (WIN) and Shift to Wellness (GM Financial’s wellness platform), called “Helping Working Parents Cope with Life’s Stressors.” It featured a panel of working parents as they addressed a number of prepared and live questions from the audience.

The event was an incredible success, in part due to the very active and engaged audience that shared their own questions, stories and lessons they’ve come across in their parenting journeys.

“There were so many attendees sharing perspectives, ideas, support and much more, and subsequently, so many ‘reactions’ to what was being shared,” says Jodi. “Our community grew so much closer after that, and it was so heartwarming to witness.”

New journeys on the horizon

With the Working Parents ERG now firmly established, its leaders have some big plans to keep growing the community they’ve helped build. In August, the NA chapter will feature guest speaker and changemaker Kristi Hemmer as she brings her expertise on how to prepare for Back to School as parents.

Later in September, they will also partner with Salute (the veterans ERG) as they host an event on Mental Health and Wellness and feature a guest speaker therapist from our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partners.

Meanwhile, the Working Parents Mexico and Peru chapter will switch things up later this year and introduce their children to the GMF world with a Bring Your Kids to Work Day event.

“My daughter is super excited to meet my team members and see where I work. Every day, she asks me how many days until she comes to meet the team.” says Roxanna.

In between those larger events, the Working Parents leaders are still going to ensure that their community has the support they need, whenever they need it.

“Continuing to generate excitement in our internal Viva Engage community and getting conversations started are areas of passion for us,” says Dani. “I love that GMF offers a space for team members to bring the best version of themselves to work daily. To be part of a group that fosters just that is so significant to me and to countless others.”

By Corey Ortiz, GM Financial

Corey Ortiz is a creative communicator with a passion for storytelling, learning and supporting others. Outside of work, you can find him cheering on his two alma maters, the University of Michigan and Northeastern University, or spending time with friends and his canine buddy, Abe.