Robert B Ford

President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Ford has been with Abbott for more than twenty years, and, during his tenure there, the company has created a benefit structure so supportive of family that it's almost too much to talk about. But don't worry — we won't let that stop us.

Most of us may be familiar with the many incredible life-saving and life-changing medical products Abbott makes to improve our lives, from devices to remove the pain of fingersticks for people with diabetes to monitoring devices that connect doctors to their patients to pain relief to testing half the world’s blood donations. In its own words, its "purpose is to make the world a better place by bringing life-changing health technologies to the people who need them. That's our commitment to helping you live your best life."

But what few people realize, and we didn't either until we did some research, is that they are taking that same approach to how they take care of their employees' families.

If employees want to start a family but don't know where or how to start, Abbott helps with technology for women and families with data-driven solutions for fertility as well as access to fertility experts and surrogacy support. There is adoption assistance to alleviate some of the financial burdens of adoption with reimbursement of eligible expenses. Through Perkspot, it offers parents discounts on meal delivery, electronics, home goods, entertainment and more.

For employees who already have a family, Abbott is there on an ongoing basis, offering webinars on mindfulness and meditation, personal well-being, childcare support and seminars for parents with children with special needs. Or employees can enjoy up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to care for themselves or a family member.

Abbott offers childcare discounts like a 10% discount at KinderCare and Learning Care Group Centers, plus discounted fees on nannies, sitters and tutors, also free access to a nanny referral service through College Nannies + Sitters. Employees get preferred placement at Bright Horizons centers, a free membership to Sitter City for help finding childcare providers or services like housecleaning.

Employees get free health coaching for themselves or their whole family and take steps toward healthier eating and exercise. Through Abbott's partners, employees can get a 20% discount on monthly subscriptions or 50% off annual plans for digital learning programs for children aged three to seven.

Breastfeeding moms have access to free counseling from a lactation consultant and an account with Milk Stork, where they will receive a free pumping kit when traveling for business and a shipping box to securely send breast milk back home when you're away.

And for the parents of the parents starting those families, CarePartner provided by Abbott helps coordinate care for elderly parents.

Additionally, Abbott offers a slew of medical, life insurance and financial care and advice programs for sound family planning.

All in all, Abbott is clearly focused on helping employees to care for their families so each employee can be a happier, healthier person.