The fall semester brings challenges and stresses for working parents as they adapt to new schedules and try to find child care, which can also add financial strains.
As more employees are returning to the office, working parents are also losing some of the flexibility that came with working from home. According to UrbanSitter, an online service that connects parents to trusted child care providers, 42% of parents are hybrid workers, and 31% are in the office full time. This loss of flexibility makes child care arrangements even more important to working parents.
"We saw a huge jump in bookings when companies put a mandatory return in place last year," Lynn Perkins, CEO of UrbanSitter told EBN's Deanna Cuadra. "Before, parents could cover at least some afternoons, but now they need help because they don't have the same availability."
Perkins recalls one employer who rolled out its return-to-office mandates alongside a child care subsidy benefit. "This was really thoughtful, but I've only seen one partner do this with the introduction of return-to-office," she says.
Read more: Creating the right environment for your working parents
Figuring out the needs of a workforce will help determine the support that working parents receive. Depending on the industry or job, what works for some organizations, teams or individuals may not work for others, but there are many ways for employers to demonstrate support for all of their working parents. Surveys, all-hands and team meetings and feedback from employee resource groups can be great ways to determine parents' points of stress, and how to solve them.
"It's really important to support parents emotionally," Stephanie Edenburgh, CEO of parenting platform Bizzie Mommy told EBN's Lee Hafner. "That's why I create a space where they feel they can talk openly about the challenges of balancing work and family, especially during transitions like back-to-school. I've always encouraged my team to share what's on their minds, and we collaborate to find solutions that keep work manageable while still honoring family commitments."
A remote-first culture is conducive to balancing parenting and work, Deepak Shukla, founder and CEO of digital marketing company Pearl Lemon Group, told EBN's Lee Hafner.
"We offer an internal resource-sharing platform where parents can exchange trusted child care recommendations and resources," Shukla said. "We [also] offer access to wellness resources, including mental health support, recognizing the importance of managing work-life balance during this hectic time. Supporting parents isn't just about work flexibility; it's about recognizing their dual roles and creating an environment where they don't have to choose between family and career."
Read more: 10 companies that let you work from anywhere
PWC provides extra support to working parents year round, but understands that the start of a school year can bring additional stress. The company provides financial support and reimbursements for parents, and launched a dedicated Parenting Inclusion Network, which includes various parenting resources and a peer connection program with the goal of fostering community among working parents to give them an additional avenue of support.
"Everyday flexibility is also just ingrained in our culture like reduced schedules and pay-adjusted leaves to help working parents balance their family and career needs," Chris Santucci, a data risk and privacy partner at PwC and father of two, told EBN's Paola Peralta. "Fostering a culture of well-being and flexibility is essential for creating an environment where working parents can truly thrive."
Read more about how companies can provide extra support to parents as school is in session.
