Back-Up Child Care

Small ManagerReader Question: What is “Back-up Child Care” and why would it benefit our company to provide it as a benefit to our employees?
-HR Manager, Financial Services Firm

 

Some firms have adopted the approach of providing secondary child care in the form of on-site emergency day care or even the availability of services via an outside provider for employees to use when their primary care is unavailable. The goal is to have your employees at work as often as is possible without interruptions that are caused by child care issues. You need to establish rules so that this service is not abused (e.g. limiting the number of days per year it can be used), as well as think through logistical matters, liability, sick vs. healthy kids, etc. All in all this is an option worth exploring.