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.
My kids still are small, so child care is a year-round concern, not just one that strikes during the summer months. And in my familys case at least, Debnam is absolutely right: Unfortunately for me and my little ones, sometimes 9 to 5 care just isnt enough. And I know were not alone.
I know times are tight financially, but I also know youre asking your workers to do more with less to, and the runoff from that request/demand hits their families head-on. Supporting workers child care needs could go a long way to getting more productivity and loyalty out of them at a time when both are at a premium.
