As the summer comes to a close and children prepare to head back to school, employers are taking the opportunity to reassess and enhance their childcare policies, recognizing the importance of providing robust support to their workforce.
Flexible Calendars and Backup Care: Care.com’s Approach Wes Burke, the CHRO of Care.com, emphasizes the value of continued flexibility for parents. At Care.com, the work calendar aligns with the school year, reducing the need for parents to make additional adjustments to their childcare arrangements. To bridge the after-school care gap, Care.com also offers backup care benefits and child care stipends. These initiatives assist employees in managing the added expenses that come with the start of the school year.
Affordable On-Site Childcare: Tyson’s Initiative Childcare costs can be a significant burden for parents, both financially and mentally. In response, Tyson has introduced an on-site child care center in collaboration with Kindercare. This center provides accessible and affordable early childhood education for children under five at a rate of just $2 per hour. Garrett Dolan, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility at Tyson, emphasizes the company’s commitment to being a sought-after workplace by addressing the need for reliable and affordable childcare. Opening the Tyson Learning Center allows the company to offer high-quality care and education at a subsidized rate, easing the financial strain on working parents.
Teen Support Services: Wellthy’s Care Concierge Platform The challenges faced by parents extend to their teenagers as well, particularly in the realm of mental health. Wellthy, a care concierge platform, recognized the increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues among teens since the pandemic. In response, Wellthy launched a Teen Support service line. This service provides parents and caregivers with free access to resources, expert advice, and content covering a range of topics relevant to teenagers, from academics and life skills to mental health, sexual education, LGBTQ support, social media, and substance use.
Benefits for Families and Employers Supporting parents and their children is not only beneficial for the well-being of families but also positively impacts an employer’s bottom line. RethinkFirst estimates that working parent absenteeism costs employers a staggering $65 billion annually in lost productivity. To maintain a engaged and productive workforce, family-friendly benefits and workplace flexibility remain crucial.
Angela Nelson, Vice President and Executive Director of Clinical Services at RethinkCare, underscores the significance of employer support in helping parents navigate the challenges of parenting while maintaining their professional roles. “When parents can get support from their employers for their most stressful parenting struggles, that can allow them to be more present and focused at work,” she explains.
In an era where work-life balance is a top priority for employees, businesses that prioritize family-friendly policies and resources are likely to foster a more loyal and productive workforce. By implementing innovative approaches to support working parents, companies can contribute to a healthier, happier, and more successful work environment for all.
For more follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn.
