Dine Brands, parent company of Applebee’s, IHOP and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, has added a new “Parent Transition Program” to its benefits package. According to the company, the program is designed to offer more flexibility for corporate employees, including the option to work remotely up to 90 consecutive calendar days after returning from paid leave.
Corporate employees in restaurant support centers in California, Texas, and Kansas are already eligible for the new benefit.
“We learned during the pandemic the convenience that working from home provides, especially when welcoming a new child into the world,” Chief People Officer Sarah Cannon-Foster said in a statement. “By providing the option to work remotely before returning to the (restaurant support center), it’s our aim that team members will feel empowered to take their paid leave, knowing they will have the grace upon return to adjust and establish their new routines and family dynamics. We also hope this will contribute to improved physical and mental health outcomes for our team members.”
The Parent Transition Program is the latest family benefit offered by Dine Brands, in addition to 12 weeks of fully paid maternity leave; six weeks of fully paid baby bonding time for non-birthing parents; adoption assistance of up to $4,000 per adoption, or $6,000 if adopting a special needs child; and family planning and fertility assistance.
Dine Brands also offers flexible work schedules, half-day Fridays, tuition reimbursement, pet insurance, wellness and work-life resources, dining benefits, dental/vision coverage, employee assistance coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, and more.
The Parent Transition Program is the brainchild of the company’s Women@Dine Team Member Resource Group.
Many restaurant companies have expanded their employee benefits in the past few years, as the industry experienced an all-time high quit rate and worker shortages. Further, according to the National Restaurant Association State of the Industry report, most operators say they struggle to fill critical positions. Noodles & Company recently added pet care support, backup dependent care, and immigration, reimbursement, for instance. Last year, Brinker extended its educational benefits to family members of Chili’s and Maggiano’s employees. TGI Fridays even started reimbursing its general managers for vacation expenses last year.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]