As employees wrap up their summer vacations, they're stepping back into the harsh reality of
Seventy-two percent of parents say uncertainty around school and child care schedules causes them stress, according to the American Psychological Association. But child care gaps can be a year-round challenge that impacts parents' productivity if not managed properly, says Wes Burke, CHRO of Care.com, an online marketplace for caregivers.
"At the end of school, you've got eight weeks to figure out care for your family, and then you have some level of routine and then all of a sudden, you've got to go back to school and deal with those stressors of finding care, getting supplies and clothes and everything else," Burke says. "Working parents are experiencing that dip in productivity and increased absenteeism for a couple of weeks starting in August into September."
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Care.com has already seen an increase in demand for after-school sitters this month, Burke says. Making that search even more challenging is the nation-wide shortage of child care workers and provider centers: nearly half of the country lives in a "child care desert," an area with little to no access to care providers, where there can be up to three times as many children as there are licensed care slots, according to the Center for American Progress.
"We've got a ton of people dealing with the same stressors, and employers need to be really intentional around this time of year," Burke says. "Parents feel like they're running a marathon, and flexibility [from their employers] will go a long way."
Flexibility should be a
"We don't ever want you to have to worry about how you're going to take care of your kids, and there's a lot of thought put into that," Burke says. "Take the time to be with your family, and don't make that something that creates a burden for you."
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Additionally,
Employers should also expand their circle of care providers to include a wider variety of options. Whether emergency back up care, in-home nannies, or part-time caregivers, parents need resources for different circumstances, and the benefits and coverage available should acknowledge that.
"On our platform, we focus very heavily on trust and safety and making sure that we've got enhanced background checks which can help close the gap a little bit," Burke says. "We also have a team of care specialists available 24/7 who can help answer questions and find care."
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No matter how parents figure out the complex arrangements that
"Our best leaders are open about their challenges and how they're working through their child care," Burke says. "As an organization, you have to empower them and give them the flexibility to make a decision that's right for the employee."
