Youth Development Inc. (YDI) this week earned distinction for its workplace policies by Family Friendly New Mexico, a statewide project developed to recognize companies that have adopted policies that give New Mexico businesses an edge in recruiting and retaining the best employees.

“We are proud to be the recipient of a New Mexico Family Friendly  Workplace award,” said YDI President & CEO, Diego Gallegos.  “We serve over 7,000 New Mexican families a year, and feel to be effective at that scale, our employees must work in a family friendly environment to thrive.”

The Family Friendly New Mexico project has taken a positive approach to transforming workplace policies in the state by offering training and resources on how businesses can adopt more family-friendly policies; awards and recognition for companies that offer their employees family-friendly benefits; and a resource and clearinghouse of information for businesses and community leaders as they develop policies on issues such as paid family leave and help with childcare.

 “As we grow the state’s economy, we have the opportunity to be a national leader in offering New Mexicans workplaces that help companies attract and keep the best workers,” said Giovanna Rossi, head of Family Friendly New Mexico. “Implementing family-friendly policies can be a simple, concrete investment a company can make to ensure it can compete for highly qualified employees.  Studies have shown that costs associated with creating family-friendly benefits are more than made up for in improved productivity, employee morale and employee retention.”

As a Family Friendly Workplace Gold level award (the top level award), YDI has been found to be exceptional in the following categories: Paid Leave, Health Support, Work Schedules, & Economic Support.

Family-friendly policies include a wide range of options that companies can adopt, including providing access to health insurance; paid vacation; making reasonable accommodations for pregnant employees; flexible leave time for parents to attend to their kids’ medical or school needs; paid family leave; and ensuring workplaces have proper breastfeeding space and storage, among many other family-friendly benefits.