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Employers should make it their jobs to help working parents

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A Gallup poll taken in January found that 56% of U.S. workers were “always” or “sometimes” working remotely. The percentage of workers clocking in from home hit a high of 70% last April.

It’s safe to assume that many of those workers have children. As people start reporting back to offices, employers need to remain flexible to keep accommodating working parents.

Here are a few ideas to consider.

Flex away

If you can, allow employees to flex their schedules. This could mean a hybrid schedule of, say, three days in the office and two at home. The concept of an 8-to-5 job is also becoming outdated. Allow your employees to come in a little earlier or later. Some people like beating traffic to and from work. Others like to sleep in. Give them a little freedom.

The kids are all right

If your business is big enough, consider offering childcare at work. It won’t be cheap, but it will give you an advantage over your competitors. If you aren’t big enough, approach a local childcare facility to see if they would offer your employees a reduced rate. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Give them opportunities

Everyone is busy at your office. Working parents have the extra responsibility of raising their kids, no small task. Even with that in mind, don’t be afraid to give them more responsibilities that could lead to raises or promotions. This is especially true for working mothers. A survey taken by theBoardlist and Qualtrics during the pandemic found that dads were three times more likely to get a promotion than moms. Don’t let this happen at your workplace.

Be better at benefits

Don’t let your business be among the ones that don’t offer improved benefits post-pandemic. A generous family leave policy will attract young couples who are starting or growing a family. Parents should be able to put kids on their insurance coverage. Think about an on-site gym or company discount to a local facility to help parents who don’t have much spare time.

If you want your business to attract and retain good working parents, you need to stand out in your field. Keep these tips in mind as we all get down to business.

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