Strategies for Employers: Easing the Burden on Working Parents

As employers, it's crucial to understand the challenges your employees face and take proactive steps to ease their burden. Here are some strategies to consider, backed by date from a research study from this year:

Prioritize Child Care Benefits: Child care benefits are a lifeline for working parents. Offering access to trusted child care options or stipends for care can make a world of difference. In fact, according to our research, these benefits are more coveted by working parents than other incentives such as unlimited paid time off, 401(k) matching and performance bonuses.
Flexibility Is Key: Flexible scheduling and remote work options empower parents to better manage their work and family life. This support allows them to cover gaps in child care, participate in school activities, go to doctor appointments and choose work hours that align with their family's needs.
Consider a New Work Arrangement: Explore new ideas like a four-day work week, flexible remote work or hybrid schedules where employees come into the office for a week or two each month. This doesn't just help working parents; it enhances work-life balance for everyone.
Broaden Support: Extend your support beyond child care to encompass senior care, pet care, tutoring and household services like housekeeping and errands. This inclusive approach recognizes that caregiving responsibilities extend beyond child care and helps alleviate the spectrum of caregiving burdens that families face.

Positive Impacts: Productivity and Retention

Implementing these strategies isn't just about meeting the immediate needs of working parents; it can also have a substantial impact on your organization's productivity and retention rates.

According to research, parents missed 68% fewer workdays with a caregiving benefit.
An astounding 87% of the working parents surveyed said they would be more likely to stay with their current employer if caregiving benefits were provided.
77% of new parents return to work after childbirth if they are provided with child care benefits, well surpassing an industry average of 57%.

By prioritizing these strategies, you not only provide essential support to your employees but also foster a more productive and loyal workforce. It's an opportunity for employers to show empathy and strengthen their relationship with their employees during this challenging period.

Instant Insights /

Navigating the child care cliff: Strategies for employers to support working parents

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