Navigating first-time parenthood with flexibility and support at work

Becoming a parent is an incredible journey. Though unique for each family, it often comes with major shifts. I’m immensely thankful for the benefits and resources provided by Principal^® that allowed me to fully embrace this life-changing experience.

When my wife and I welcomed our son, I had the opportunity to take four weeks of paid parental leave, which allowed me to be present for my family and adjust to our new routines.

During this time, I experienced the true essence of our supportive company culture. Before I was scheduled to be out, my team and I worked together to put plans in place to ensure my projects carried on smoothly. And they did!

Returning to work was also simple, thanks to the understanding and support of my colleagues. It's refreshing to be back in the professional arena, but balance between work and family life is crucial, and Principal has made this transition smoother than I could have imagined.

As I settle back into my role as an information security senior engineer, I’m excited about the new projects on the horizon and the opportunities to contribute. The environment here supports personal milestones—just as it does professional growth—making it a great place to build my career.

Helpful resources for new parents

The resources I needed to navigate parenthood were literally at my fingertips—and organized within a “birth checklist.” Here’s a glimpse:

• Leave requests. I submitted my leave request long before our due date. It was nice to check off the to-do and get approval in advance.

• Health benefits. After we got home from the hospital, I updated my family’s health benefits in the Principal benefits system. (Having a baby is a qualified life event, so you don’t need to wait for open enrollment.)

• Tax updates. There's plenty of help with W-4s and adding a dependent, adjusting head of household and more.

• Childcare. For employees at the Principal World Headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa, the Principal Child Development Center is a popular—and very convenient—childcare option.

Our new-parent policies have made a significant impact on my family. And I’m excited about my future at Principal knowing first-hand how it stands by its commitment to employees.