Fast Company Article--Ilene Sorensen--SAS Day Care--January 1999--Charles Fishman--pg. 92

This story brought to mind my daughter. She is a pre-school teacher at a large day-care center at Citi-Bank. This job has always amazed me. The day-care is for people with children who are employed at Citi-Bank. The day care is located next to Citi-Bank just like at SAS. There are lots of activities, child-height furniture, and projects available.

Having this day care is one of the added perks at SAS and at Citi-Bank. Workplaces have found that work production goes up when the children are fully cared for close to parents workplace.

Discipline and rules are enforced so there is respect for the children as well as the teachers. Voices are never raised. The children know that certain things are expected.

I found it refreshing to read an article like this. It shows me that people care about others--including kids. I like kids and am proud to be one. I am also proud of my kids and their accomplishments. I feel more is accomplished when we show respect.

When I think about the SAS Day Care, it is a lot like being employed. We like to take breaks and go on to other activities, to set our own schedule, to team up with others informally, to be lightly but intelligently managed, to have plenty of snacks throughout the day. Maybe to be a successful company this is what is takes! It sounds to me that people would be more productive. Isnt that what we want?

-- Anonymous, April 15, 1999

Answers

Ilene Sorensen,

Thanks for the article summary. It is very well written. Remember to include thoughts and discussion about the articles from colleagues.

It is refreshing to see a company that does practice family values.

-- Anonymous, October 02, 1999