Full disclosure: As a working mom of two, Id be willing to lose a finger just to have employer-supported child care, so count me among the yays in the latest Workplace Options survey that finds 48% of working parents would feel more freedom to concentrate on work and home responsibilities if their employer provided support for child care. Another 50% say knowing they had back-up care options when their regular provider is unavailable would help them feel less stressed.
The day care needs of working parents have changed. Its no longer a matter of finding 9-to-5 care for preschoolers and infants. Employees are working longer hours, which creates needs that regular day care providers cant meet, says Dean Debnam, CEO for Workplace Options. Knowing you have a fall-back plan for child care can be very liberating for working parents — particularly in the summer when schedules and plans are more unpredictable.
