Nextep Puts Family First with New Policy

Beth Dean 07.07.17
53 Beach Kite Vacation

Nextep is breaking the mold with a new policy that focuses on family.

Nextep, a certified PEO based in Norman, OK, has unveiled a new family-positive policy that increases paid leave over 200% and allows more flexibility in the workplace.

Taking a cue from best places to work, this policy goes even further, adding extended paid time off for life events.

Highlights of the policy include expanded paid time off, paid time to care for a seriously ill family member, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, flexible schedules and work environments, and paid bereavement for up to one month.

“We’ve always valued family and the commitments that go with it,” said Brian Fayak, Nextep President and CEO. “Now, we’re excited to have an official policy that puts that commitment to paper.”

While businesses must honor the legal requirements for job-protected time off, increasing numbers additionally offer policies which protect the employee financially, providing pay during those leaves of absence.

Flexible scheduling considers an employee’s personal needs, allowing leeway in finding solutions that work for both the company and the family. It also has the benefit of a work schedule that supports health and fitness goals, furthering an employee’s mental and physical wellness.

“We have a lot of primary caregivers working here,” Fayak said. ”Whether they’re caring for children or elderly parents, our people have a lot of responsibilities that go beyond their regular workday and sometimes cut into it.

“We want to respect that role they play for their families as well as the important work they do for our company and allow them the flexibility to fulfill both.”

With the addition of up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, new parents can fully enjoy their time off without the stress of financial difficulty.

Fayak sees this move as a positive step forward for the modern workforce. “We believe in hard work as well as the care of children, family, and self,” he said. “Personal and family well-being shouldn’t have to be sacrificed in order to accomplish great things at work.”

Family-positive policies, paid leave for parental care and bereavement, and flexible scheduling are popular in best places to work, showing the business’ commitment to putting people first while pursuing a rewarding career.

Fayak believes Nextep succeeds in a solution to which many workplaces are gravitating. “We are intentionally creating opportunities for our employees to schedule their workday with their personal needs in mind.

“What we do at Nextep is important, but so are our families, and you shouldn’t have to choose.”

Also on Nextep

Ah, the holiday season—a time for joy, festivities, and the age-old puzzle of compensating your employees. Let’s demystify the rules of holiday pay for both our hourly (nonexempt) and salaried (exempt) workers. For the Hourly Heroes Picture your business decked out in holiday cheer, but your nonexempt employees are sipping cocoa at home. Under the […]
Read more
Giving Tuesday = Receiving Tuesday Nextep was excited to be one of the many organizations recognizing Giving Tuesday,  with our teams of employees generously giving back to the community all season long.  The Giving Tuesday network collaborates year-round to inspire generosity around the world, with a common mission to build a world where generosity is […]
Read more
Keep Your Party Pants Professional As the year ends, and you’ve achieved feats at work that deserve a standing ovation, the holiday office party is your well-earned, much-awaited reward.  But beware! When the festive spirit meets the allure of a bottomless drink supply, things can take a wild turn, leaving you nursing a hangover, regret, […]
Read more
We’ve talked recently about the importance of sustainability in business. Let’s take it a step further and look at ESG, or Environmental, Social, and Governance.  The Impact of ESG on Companies Environmental (E) Companies that focus on their environmental impact are making a positive change. They reduce their carbon footprint, use clean energy, and find […]
Read more
Sustainable business isn’t just for hippies! As we discussed in our previous article, sustainability is increasingly important to today’s business. It is a crucial and relevant issue that affects everyone and every organization, regardless of industry or beliefs. Sustainability involves taking a long-term, holistic view of how we interact with the environment and our communities, […]
Read more
At Nextep, we aim to stay informed about CEO concerns in order to better help with problem-solving. We were surprised to learn that sustainability has become a top concern. The statistics bring CEO concerns to light: A Gartner survey found that CEO concern about sustainability has increased 292% from their 2021-22 survey. In a survey […]
Read more
It’s not the most savory of topics, but still merits discussion. All of your employees will need to use the bathroom during work. Here’s a potty primer, if you will. Disability and Bathrooms The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has clear regulations on bathroom accessibility in the workplace. Much of the guidance revolves around making […]
Read more
We’ve reported at length about preventing discrimination in the workplace. But let’s take a step back now and brush up on Title VII, the sweeping regulation that started it all.  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act forbids discrimination in any aspect of employment, including hiring, firing, pay, job assignments, promotions, layoff, training, fringe benefits, […]
Read more
Coming to your Nextep account and an app store near you in late 2023 Gone are the days of sifting through emails, struggling to find the right document, or waiting on someone to respond to your queries. We’re putting the power back in your hands with upgrades to the Nextep account and our new app, […]
Read more
Time to check your handbook again for NLRB compliance The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been busy shaping employee handbooks and workplace policies. With the recent Stericycle Inc. decision, the NLRB has introduced a new legal standard for evaluating employer work rules under Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).  Understanding the […]
Read more
The Answer Depends on Your State…For Now As we reported in January, non-compete agreements preventing employees from working for competitors are becoming increasingly unenforceable. The FTC is currently working on banning them at a federal level, but unless and until that decision comes, non-competes are enforced at a state (and sometimes even local) level.  As […]
Read more
When hiring workers, knowing whether they’re employees or independent contractors is essential. The difference between the two can significantly impact your business, including your tax liability, your liability for workers’ compensation claims, the worker’s rights and benefits, and your ability to control how your workers do their jobs. Read all about it here, and check […]
Read more

Download Our App