Family-Friendly Businesses
Why It Matters
Family-friendly policies tell your employees you’re there to support them, you believe in balancing the needs of work and family, and recognize the benefit of happy, healthy families to productivity and reliability in the workplace.
- Research has shown that employers that offer flexible work environments are able to attract, motivate and retain employees, improve employee satisfaction, and strengthen productivity.
Family-friendly policies increase employee engagement – a strategy to improve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Infant and toddler Care is Particularly Hard to find
When looking at supply and demand for infant and toddler care statewide, just 58% of families can find care on average.
The Price of Child Care is Far Below the Actual Cost to Provide Quality Care
While parents struggle with the price of child care, a cost modeling report by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) shows that providers charge what they think the market will bear, not what it actually costs to offer high-quality care, which includes compensating staff at competitive wages. In fact, UAMS recommends increasing child care subsidy rates by 2-33% depending on the region and Better Beginnings level of the program. Such increases will help cover operating costs including increased costs at higher quality levels.
Why does child care cost so much?
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) created a video about the child care business model. Watch Rethinking America's Child Care System (2021).
Family-Friendly Employer Options
Employee Assistance Programs
Providing employees with support for issues that affect their well-being can lead to increased productivity and engagement. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems. Learn more here. Review this sample employee assistance program policy template.
Flexible Spending Accounts
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a special account where employees can set-aside up to $3,400 annually in pre-tax dollars to reimburse for health related expenses. Employers benefit from the savings associated with not being required to pay FICA or FUTA on pre-tax dollars. Learn more here.
Dependent Care Assistance Plans
Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAPs) enable employees to put aside up to $7,500 annually in pre-tax dollars to be used to reimburse child care expenses. Employers benefit from the savings associated with not being required to pay FICA or FUTA on pre-tax dollars. Learn more here. Review this sample dependent care assistance plan policy template.
Working Remotely (Telecommuting)
The U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey conducted between August 20 – September 16, 2024 found that 18% of Arkansas parents with children under age 18 are working either entirely remotely or in some type of hybrid manner. Gallup polling shows that highly engaged workplaces claim 41% lower absenteeism and 21% higher profitability. See the University of Arkansas' remote work and alternative work schedule policy as an example.
Predictable Scheduling
A May 2021 Bipartisan Policy Center survey of parents with children under age 6 found that 29% of parents had 2 weeks or less advance notice of their work schedule. When parents have sufficient notice or a set schedule, it makes balancing work and family easier, including scheduling child care for times when they need it. Arkansas parents working at Walmart have at least two weeks’ notice of work schedules, which makes balancing work and family easier.
Flextime
Multiple surveys show that workers would leave a job for one that offers a flexible schedule. Offering flexible schedules can be a recruitment and retention tool for employers. See the University of Central Arkansas' flex-time policy as an example.
Getting Started - Conduct an Employee Survey
Identify the needs of working parents
Conduct a survey of employees to better understand their challenges with child care, their current arrangements, and their interest in potential options (e.g., a Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP), flexible hours, remote work, child care financial assistance, or other options).
- Identify any “Quick Wins” (e.g., low cost/no cost options) and build on that success.
- Use or modify this sample employee survey to begin the process.
Employers Can Spread the Word
Businesses can play a vital role in supporting their employees by providing information about child care resources, including the Arkansas School Readiness Assistance Program (child care subsidy for low wage parents).
By offering access to this information, companies can help reduce the financial and logistical burden many parents face when trying to balance work and family responsibilities. Financial help can make quality care more affordable, ensuring that income-qualifying employees can focus on their jobs without the stress of finding reliable, affordable child care.
Arkansas Department of Education Searchable Child Care Database
Businesses can let employees know about Childcare Arkansas, a new child care search tool to support parents in finding child care. The new web portal also includes a link to local early childhood lead organizations (local leads).
Finding Child Care Can Be Stressful
Finding child care can be stressful for parents – knowing what to ask, what to look for, who to trust, and how to compare options can feel overwhelming.
Reduce Parent Stress
Do families need help finding child care for a child with special needs? Do they need child care during non-traditional hours (like evenings or weekends)? Are parents looking for center-based care, home-based care or, an after-school program? Better Beginnings staff can help. They know all the options. They can work with families to help parents make informed decisions.
Assist New Hires
If your business has a new hire packet, include a flyer to assist new employees in finding child care. If your business has families who are relocating, you can work with Better Beginnings to offer employees assistance in finding child care. Moving can be stressful enough, let parents know about Better Beginnings to help best meets their needs.
Targeted Help for Families
Arkansas Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve children from birth to age 5 through an array of comprehensive services to promote the healthy development of children. Head Start programs primarily serve families with children living in poverty.
Early Intervention Day Treatment (EIDT) programs offer evaluation as well as therapeutic, developmental, and preventative services provided by a licensed pediatric day treatment clinic that is run by early childhood specialists.
Download the Resources
Download this employee child care guide to include in orientation sessions, new hire packets, and/or employee handbooks. Download this version to add your own logo to the resource.
Post Information such as the Choosing Child Care Tips for child care centers and family child care homes when searching for child care – near the copy machine, the coffee machine, or in the lunch room. Download and post 5 Good Reasons to Choose Better Beginnings’ High-Quality Child Care Providers.
Employer Child Care Navigator
Investing in child care benefits strengthens your business. Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation partnered to create the Employer Child Care Navigator. Child care solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Check out the navigator resource for suggestions about ways to support the child care needs of employees.