New report shows lack of childcare access driving poor performance and even exits at work
There is a quiet exodus of working parents in organisations amid the lack of childcare benefits provided by their employers, according to a new report.
Research from KinderCare Learning Companies has revealed that working parents are making difficult trade-offs in their careers in order to care for their children.
Three in four working parents said they know people who are leaving the workforce due to childcare challenges.
More than a quarter even said they also considered quitting, or have already quit, their job because of the lack of childcare access.
Beyond career decisions, two in three working parents also said the lack of childcare access has negatively impacted their work performance in the past. They reported:
- Missing work (50%)
- Reducing work hours (35%)
- Experiencing tension with managers (28%)
- Experiencing tension with colleagues (24%)
Employer support falls short
The findings underscore the impact of childcare access on working parents and employers.
Despite these consequences, the share of employers providing childcare benefits to employees is lagging behind demand.
The majority of working parents (85%) said childcare benefits should be treated as essential, on par with health and retirement benefits.
Another 81% said they wished their employer understood that reliable childcare is key to their productivity.
However, only one in three employers offer childcare benefits, according to the respondents.
Dan Figurski, President of KinderCare for Employers and Champions, said the findings present an opportunity for employers.
According to the report, receiving childcare support would make 79% of parents more loyal to an organisation.
"When companies make childcare easier to access and understand, parents can stay focused on their careers – and businesses see the pay-off in productivity, loyalty, and long-term performance," Figurski said in a statement.
