Question: How Can I Get My Employer to Offer Child Care Support?
Employers CAN positively impact the cost of child care for employees, but sometimes it takes a nudge to get them started. Employers reap the benefit of having more dedicated employees if they extend a helping hand financially, and it doesn't even have to cost them. What can you request from your employer in terms of child care support?
Answer: Before you ask for anything, be sure to first know and understand what your employer may already offer in terms of child care benefits. Start by scheduling a meeting with a Human Resources representative to find out what the employer may provide in terms of child care support. Or, if you are searching for a job, look for perks such as on-site care or arrangements for extended hours. Others may offer subsidies.
A request that many employers are all-too willing to consider is to arrange bulk discount rates, typically at a local branch of a regional or national child care center. If there is a nearby center to your workplace, call and find out how many employees may already be utilizing their child care services. If it is more than a few, ask your employer to call and negotiate a group or corporate discount. (Many child care centers are very willing to make these type arrangements.)
Another request is for employers to help pay for child care during extended hours or during requested overtime situations. Some businesses will offer to pay for all or some of babysitting fees when requested (certainly, conditions or terms would apply) when an employee needs to utilize an after-hours child care facility such as drop-in care to meet a work-related need. If not, why not at least ask?
Finally, check to see if your employer offers flexible spending accounts (these are tax-free incentives for child care). If your company has one, be sure to use it. If not, ask your employer to add the benefit.
