It’s a familiar scenario: an employee suddenly finds themselves without childcare and has to take a day off at short notice. Indeed, more than two-thirds (67 per cent) of employees have missed at least one day in the past 12 months and almost half (49 per cent) report using annual leave to cover breakdowns with childcare.
This is clearly a widespread problem with serious ramifications for productivity, team morale and more, so it’s crucial that employers think about ways they can help to keep working parents working.
Back-Up Care
One solution to this common dilemma is an employer-sponsored Back-Up Care programme. Your employees can drop their children at a high-quality childcare setting, or even arrange for a last-minute nanny in the event of a last minute change with care arrangements.
For employees, being able to continue working while knowing their child is being well-cared for in one of the many settings available nationwide or with a trusted, fully vetted and qualified nanny is a game-changer.
For employers, it minimises disruption, increases productivity and saves money through reduced unplanned absences and better staff retention – 76 per cent of Back-Up Care users say they are more likely to stay with their employer as a result of the service. What’s more, by demonstrating this commitment to supporting working parents, employers will differentiate themselves from the competition, and enable employees to progress in their careers.
Similar support options are also available to employees who are caring for elderly parents or relatives – and even pets. Whoever the dependant is, the Back-Up Care programme is proven to make a positive impact on all caregivers. And for parents of older children, it includes school holiday clubs and access to virtual tutoring.
A data-driven decision
Each year, Bright Horizons surveys its clients’ employees. Three-quarters (74%) of those with access to a Back-up care programme say it has enabled them to work on a day they would not otherwise have been able to. Having Back-Up Care available means care breakdowns are ‘less likely to impact my ability to work’, according to nearly 9 in 10 (87%) service users.
Plus, 92 per cent of employees who used a Back-Up Care provision rated their employers as highly supportive of families.
Bright Horizons’ data also shows this helps companies save more than 170,000 working days per year and delivers three times the return on investment.
Seizing the opportunity
For more than 30 years, Bright Horizons has partnered with leading employers worldwide and created new solutions for work, family, life and education.
Today, there’s a renewed emphasis on productivity and as a result, Bright Horizons’ research has highlighted a drop in perceived family support among some UK employers.
Yet, the reputation of employers who partner with Bright Horizons remains high, and their employees are voicing appreciation for the family support in place with 80 per cent of Back-Up Care users saying it boosts their productivity.
The real-life impact of Back-Up Care
Here’s how Bright Horizons’ Back-Up Care programme has helped its clients’ employees manage their work-life responsibilities:
- “If Back-Up Care wasn't provided, I would need to reduce the number of hours I work in order to care for my children during school holidays.”
- “I was able to attend work and not take an unpaid parental leave day to look after my child.”
- “My wife and I both have professional careers and rely on parents to provide an element of childcare. But, of course, they can be unavailable at short notice. Without the Back-Up Care programme it would mean one or both of us would have to take a leave of absence at short notice to care for our children. It is invaluable.”
- “Eldercare is difficult to organise and so this is a good backstop which is relatively painless to put in place. I care for an elder person with dementia and this service has helped give me the confidence to take on more office-based work.”
Learn more about Back-Up Care
If you’re an employer interested in exploring Back-Up Care, access Bright Horizons’ latest Back-Up Care + Education Guide. To discuss the variety of services we offer, call us at 0345 241 5309 or email employerenquiry@brighthorizons.com. Discover more by visiting Bright Horizons’ Work + Family Solutions at Bright Horizons Solutions.