• by Larissa Faw , May 5, 2016

Horizon Media is making is easier for new parents to reenter the workforce with its new “Spring!” program. 

New parents will have access to transition coaching with a trained working parent support coach; a three-month paid membership at Horizon’s onsite gym; and a spa day or “date night” dinner funded by the agency.

They will also get access to transition-focused literature; breast pump accessories; a membership to breastfeeding group The La Leche League; and a lactation transport system from Milk Stork for mothers traveling for business.  

The agency has dedicated rooms for new breastfeeding mothers returning to work in both New York and Los Angeles. There’s also an educational video series addressing three pivotal periods, before, during, and after their parental leave. All Horizon employees - both men and women - are eligible for the program.  

“Finding work life balance is hard enough -- we want to support our people even more as they are experience a life milestone,” says Eileen Benwitt, chief talent officer, Horizon Media. “We created Spring! because we listened to our people and heard that returning from parental leave is not easy.” 

The Spring! concept developed under the agency's Invent@horizon platform where employees have the opportunity to submit ideas for the chance to receive funding and development resources.  

Senior media buyer Louba Lababedi wanted to "facilitate a smooth transition back to work for new mothers and fathers," she says. The program's name also has a strong meaning for her. "Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth but also, I imagined the program to be like a spring board back into the office for new parents.”  

Separately, the agency has revamped its Life Event Time (LET) policy for Parental Leave, effective immediately. Now, Horizon Media’s new combined Parental LET plan and its existing company sponsored supplemental leave policy may now provide up to 11 weeks of pay.