A support group at the office can be a boon to working parents. But companies should make sure their group is as inclusive as possible. It shouldn't be just for moms — working parents can be male, female, biological, adoptive, gay, straight, from every conceivable background, and from all parts and levels of the organization. If you're spearheading the creation of a support group, it's your job to make sure every single parent in your company gets the message that they are welcome. Start by ensuring that the group's leadership is diverse; prospective members will want to "see themselves" in its composition. Be sure to keep communications welcoming, too: In emails, for example, go out of your way to specify that the group is open to everyone. And don't be afraid to get personal: If you sense that any parent in the company might feel left out, walk down the hall and invite them to the next meeting.
Adapted from "How to Launch a Working Parents' Support Group in Your Organization," by Daisy Wademan Dowling
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