Advantages of a Family-Friendly Workplace
Austin thrives when our children thrive because they are our future citizens, workforce, and leaders. Employers of every size and industry can play an important role in ensuring all children reach their full potential. supportive family-friendly workplace practices are good for business and good for Austin.
In Austin, 60% of children under age 6 have both parents in the workforce.
Replacing an employee costs an employer six to nine months of that employee’s salary.
70% of non-working middle skilled parents cite child care as one of the top 5 reasons for not participating in the workplace.
83% of millennials say that they would leave their current job for one with more family-friendly benefits.
WHY SHOULD EMPLOYERS CARE ABOUT SUPPORTING THEIR EMPLOYEES’ CHILD CARE NEEDS?
iMPACTS PRODUCTIVITY
Childcare issues result in an estimated $9.39 billion loss annually for Texas’s economy
Since the pandemic, 50% of parents surveyed by The Boston Consulting Group feel that their performance at work has suffered because of increased child care responsibilities.
According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, 73% of surveyed parents said they have missed over 8 hours, or one full day, over the last month due to child care responsibilities. 45% of parents who need child care during nontraditional hours missed over 9 hours of work.
Supports Recruitment and Retention
63% or 2.5 million Texas mothers are working and more than 1/3 of Texas families depends on a women’s wage to cover the bills.
In a recent study, 71% of working caregivers said better child care would make them more productive at work.
75% of employees surveyed said that better child care would make them more likely to stay with their employee.
According to a recent survey by Care.com, 90% of employers say childcare benefits have a positive impact on talent recruitment and retention.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY IS BUSINESS FRIENDLY
Research demonstrates that family-friendly practices lead to an increase of job satisfaction and engagement, diversity, employee referrals, and the attraction of the right people to the organization.
When child care is inaccessible, businesses see serious economic impacts. If families don’t have access to trusted, safe learning environments for their young children, they won’t be able to return to the workforce now or in the future.
Research also shows that the first five years of a child’s life is a crucial window for healthy development, with long range impacts. Family-friendly employment can help parents build safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments for young children.