5 ways employers can go above and beyond to support working parents

Companies recognize the importance of fostering a supportive culture for working parents in today’s competitive job market. While many employers provide family-friendly benefits, going above and beyond can significantly improve employee satisfaction and aid retention. Explore strategies to support working parents and create a productive workplace.

1.  Ask about their common challenges

Consider hosting a focus group discussion, sending out surveys or contacting working parents individually to identify their challenges. Do this in a safe space so they can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.

About 66% of young working moms consider resigning because of rising child care costs and stress. Even if they have remote jobs, they’ll still need some type of support, whether it’s a babysitter or day care. Working parents may also struggle to find time for rest between family and work. With 66% of parents reporting burnout, wellness benefits become more essential.

These are only a few of the many possible challenges they may experience. Assess them carefully and determine how to improve your employees’ job experiences.

2.  Implement flexible work arrangements

Maintaining a sustainable work-life balance is challenging for working parents. Caring for children means more responsibilities, such as meal planning, child care, learning, activities, school and more. Despite attempts to call workers back to the office after the pandemic, the number of days worked from home increased from 5% in 2019 to 25% in 2023.

While it has many benefits, it can be a double-edged sword for parents. Moms provide most of the child care in American families, spending an average of six to 7.5 hours daily.

Consider allowing workweek customization. For some companies, that may mean working four days a week, 10 hours a day. For others, it could be four days in the office and one day working at home. Allowing flexibility can empower employees.

3.  Modernize family care benefits

Here are some ways to make your family care benefits more accessible to parents:

• Expand telehealth perks: Consider upgrading your health care plans for working parents. Add features like 24/7 access to appointments with specialty providers.

• Provide access to educational content: Parents, especially first-time moms and dads, usually have many questions about parenthood. Provide employees access to a library of credible sources or a professional as they raise their children.

• Create a community: Establish a working parent resource group where employees can connect with other parents. You may also start a community for those looking to start a family. Roughly 1 in 6 people worldwide are affected by infertility, and it can be a lonely experience. Put them in touch with other workers experiencing the same concern and support them in their search for fertility specialists.

Related: Supporting working parents is good for business

4.  Provide mental health support

Include mental health coverage as part of your health care plan. More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with mental illness. As a result, many people get less done on the job. A supportive work environment and holistic initiatives for parents can enhance their wellbeing and productivity. It’s also essential to train managers to identify signs of emotional distress to extend support quickly.

5.  Prioritize family and child care stipends

Raising children is rewarding, but it can be challenging given rising child care costs. The average American family spends over $233,000 raising a child from birth through age 17. The financial hurdles parents face may contribute to job dissatisfaction and workplace stress. The lack of infant and toddler child care costs businesses an estimated $122 billion annually in lost earnings, revenue and productivity.

Consider providing family and child care stipends to help cover expenses such as day care centers, nanny services and after-school programs. This would allow parents to choose which services best suit their family’s needs. You could award this to employees who have children under a certain age.

Why should employers care about working parents?

Family is a top priority for most people, and supporting working parents means caring for them and the things that matter to them. Family-friendly benefits and a work environment that addresses parents’ needs can help companies retain and recruit top talent. Increase retention by providing child care support so employees remain happy at work.

Empower working parents

Cultivate a space where parents feel confident about raising a family and excelling in their jobs. Accommodate their needs to create a more equitable and enriching work environment so they feel supported and appreciated.