HR Leaders Rethink Strategy as Working Moms Quit Jobs Due to Lack of Childcare Options

Description

Prior to the pandemic, after-school care was already a critical need for working parents. According to the Afterschool Alliance, in 2020, for every child in a program, two were waiting to get in. However, the advent of COVID-19 caused a seismic shift, exacerbating these shortages. National reports now indicate that for every child in an after-school program, four others are now waiting.

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Not only did this drive up the cost of care, making it unattainable for many families, the ripple effect saw women’s workforce participation reduce to a 33-year low, per a National Women’s Law Center report. The result? A twofold impact: squeezing an already tight market for after-school care and pushing many mothers out of the workforce due to the lack of support.

Solutions include subsidizing access to online educational platforms, offering flexible working hours as easily adoptable, affordable, and turnkey options. By doing so, businesses can create a more inclusive environment that acknowledges and addresses the unique challenges faced by working mothers.