JCPenney partners with WeeCare to support its caregivers

In an effort to offer more support to their employee base, JCPenney recently partnered with child care network WeeCare to provide child care benefits to the retailer's 50,000 employees across the U.S, according to a press release. 

JCPenney associates from all departments will be eligible for WeeCare's child care benefits, which include in-home daycares, nannies and babysitters. Employees will also have access to 24-hour dedicated care managers who can help JCPenney staff match with the best caregivers and providers to meet their specific needs, organize daycare tours and facilitate enrollment for care. 

"JCPenney exists to celebrate and serve America's diverse, working families — and that includes our JCPenney family," Andre Joyner, chief human resources officer for JCPenney, said in a release. "Our partnership with WeeCare will make it easier for our dedicated associates to find the care they need for their family, allowing them greater flexibility, savings and support."

Read more: 'Not out of the woods': Caregivers still need more support

Thirty-one percent of caregivers say that the stress of providing adequate care for their loved ones is having an impact on their health, according to a recent survey conducted by Fidelity. Additionally, 26% are concerned about making the right decision for the person in their care, while 26% have experienced feelings of burnout due to their caregiving responsibilities. Despite the growing need for support, only 54% of caregivers have utilized the benefits available to them at work, Fidelity found.

The responsibility of child care and finding affordable options is a burden on every parent, but working mothers have felt the brunt of it. Since the beginning of the pandemic, over two million working mothers have left the workforce due to child care duties. More support through caregiving benefits would make it easier for them to return. 

"Creating truly parent-friendly workplaces is only possible if employees are supported in accessing affordable, high-quality child care," WeeCare CEO and co-founder Jessica Chang said in the press release. "We hope that by providing this additional benefit, more mothers whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising child care prices will be able to return to the workforce without having to forgo child care."