South Carolina Insurance Dept. to Allow Employees to Bring Babies to Work

One state agency in South Carolina is getting an early start on Bring Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reports the South Carolina Department of Insurance announced this week it will allow new parents to bring their infants to work.

Insurance Department Director Ray Farmer says his agency is the first in the state to try the idea, which he hopes will help mother and baby bond. The department has even set aside a “quiet room” for parents and child.

He says the policy will continue as long as it’s not disruptive, which he doesn’t expect since the agency has fewer than 100 employees, and there shouldn’t be more than one or two babies at a time.

Farmer also hopes the policy will help retain employees. State workers generally earn 15 days of leave and 15 sick days each year that they can use to care for newborns.