Sikich Snapshot: A First-Hand Look at our Enhanced Paid Parental Bonding Leave Policy

Upon joining Sikich , Michael Klosiewicz, PRC, CDR learned he was about to transition to the role of a lifetime - #1 Dad. The timing couldn’t have been better as Sikich recently enhanced its paid Parental Bonding Leave. His experience is a testament to the lasting impact of prioritizing health and well-being, whether it’s yours or your family’s. He shares his experience here:

“I am so fortunate to have had such a generous amount of time to bond with my son. Between the benefits of Parental Bonding Leave and our Flexible Time Off policy, I was away from work for about eight consecutive weeks, which was paramount as my family and I entered this new life stage. I could be truly present, watch my son grow at critical development moments, help my wife through her recovery process and be 100% focused on this new chapter in our lives.

Some say there is stigma around taking an extended leave to care for yourself or a loved one. I say that’s a company culture issue. I didn’t feel for one moment that I couldn’t or shouldn’t take full advantage of my eligible time off. I attribute that to the reciprocity of respect and trust within my team and the overall leadership at Sikich.

Starting the conversation early with my manager to ensure a coverage plan was in place was critical. The leaders I work with at Sikich have been nothing but encouraging and, frankly, just plain excited for me. I was consistently reminded to savor this time bonding with my son, encouraged not to worry about work and reassured that, with the plan we agreed to ahead of time, my team would be set up for success while I was away.

I am so grateful for the time I’ve had to adjust as my family expanded – it was instrumental in helping me return to work with a clear head. I also believe I now have a stronger bond with my son and you simply can’t put a price on that.”