Reprinted from the Kansas City Star KID-FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE BENEFITS FIRM Women at Work By Jilian Mincer Info-Data Services isn't your typical company. Employees such as Rebecca White are encouraged to bring their children to work, and the youngsters don't mind coming because there are stuffed animals to play with and candy to nibble on. The company provides the toys and treats because it wants employees to feel comfortable bringing their children to the office. The North Kansas City company knows one of the reasons it can attract and retain high-quality employees such as White is that it offers flexible, part-time work and a family-friendly atmosphere. The company didn't intend to set an example. It decided in the 1970's to hire "cottage workers" because it couldn't hire enough full-time employees to type data into its system, said Gary Abernathy, the company's president and owner. The "home keyers," almost all of whom are women, pick-up their assignments about every three days. In the 1970s, they worked on typewriters. Today, the company provides each worker a computer, software and a modem. The employees are able to type the data into the company system day or night. The only requirements are that the work be accurate and completed on time. The system has worked so well for the firm and its employees that they now have about 25 home keyers. There are also about 100 people on the waiting list who are called when there is additional work. The employees and employer love the system. Info-Data can hire and retain well-trained employees because it can pay "well above minimum wage," but it doesn't have to provide health insurance to part-timers. The company also is able to increase its staff without having to train temporary workers because its easy for the home keyers to increase their work loads or for the company to call people on the waiting list. "I haven't had to advertise for years," said Debby Smith, who manages the home keyers. "Their big benefit is that they don't have to pay a baby sitter." Most of the women work 20 to 25 hours a week, and one has been doing it since the 1970s. "I love it," said White, who has been working for Info-Data for about 10 years. "It's not easy, because we have deadlines every three days," she said. "But this enables me to be home when someone is sick or to be able to help at school or on a field trip."