Supporting Employees Caregiving Responsibilities as School Resumes
As summer comes to an end and fall begins, employees with school-age children may have increased caretaking responsibilities as their kids begin a new academic year. In addition to other day-to-day challenges, parents are now dealing with school pick-up and drop-off, unexpected breaks and other occurrences that could affect their work-life balance.
Employers can help out during this transition into the school year by acknowledging these changes and being prepared to offer flexibility. Consider some of the following ways employers can respond during this time.
Consider Supportive Leave Policies
Employers may want to review their leave policies. While an organization’s policies may accommodate employees who become ill, family members could become sick as well. Consider offering flexibility that allows them to leave and care for their family members if needed. With COVID-19 still looming, and cold and flu season approaching, illnesses may be inevitable. Some employers have leave policies that allow employees to take time off when they or their family members are sick or when they need to receive vaccines for these illnesses. Consider reevaluating your current leave offerings to ensure they reflect these needs.
Remain Flexible
Remember that life happens and unexpected circumstances will arise. Employers can consider providing remote and hybrid work models when possible or as needed. Even when remote and hybrid work is not feasible, flexible scheduling can allow employees time for other tasks, such as picking up their children from school. Further, your office could implement core hours that allow employees some lenience as to when they can start and stop their days. Whichever accommodations you choose, communicate with your employees that you are willing to work around events that may arise in their lives. This assurance may reduce stress during the back-to-school transition and could also have a positive impact on employee retention.
Make Caretaking Resources Accessible
According to a survey by Prudential, 45% of workers have considered leaving the workforce completely compared to 19% of non-caregivers. While it may not be feasible for all employers to directly provide caretaking services, employers can help ensure their employees have access to those resources.
Consider hosting a workshop, distributing a handout or providing information through other means regarding caretaking resources. Helping employees feel supported during their search for caretakers or after-school programs for their children can go a long way in making them feel supported and may boost overall employee retention.
Takeaway
The back-to-school transition may initially seem inapplicable to the workplace, but the reality is that many employees have school-age children and associated caretaking responsibilities. As a result, employers should prepare to be flexible and accommodate employees during this transition, and provide resources. These efforts can help make a difference and ultimately help to attract and retain workers during a time when attraction and retention are significant challenges for organizations.
For more general information on supporting employees, contact us today.
This HR Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2022 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.