The big red flag working parents look for in a job

"For all the talk from employers who claim to understand the needs of working parents, childcare benefits remain elusive in many workplaces. Surveys have repeatedly shown that employees strongly value these benefits, which can run the gamut from childcare subsidies to backup care options. As working parents have demanded more from their employers, these perks have grown in popularity in certain workplaces, alongside more generous parental leave policies. But the companies that offer childcare benefits are still in the minority."

"And yet, the vast majority of parents surveyed-85%-said childcare benefits were "essential," on par with health insurance and retirement benefits. Childcare ranks as a top-three benefit Of the more than 2,500 respondents, 70% expressed that health insurance was the most crucial workplace benefit, while 56% cited paid time off. But childcare ranked just after healthcare and PTO-making it one of the top three benefits that was most important to working parents."

Childcare benefits remain scarce in many workplaces despite high employee demand. An annual study from KinderCare and the Harris Poll found one in three employers do not offer any childcare benefits. Eighty-five percent of parents described childcare benefits as essential, comparable to health insurance and retirement plans. Among over 2,500 respondents, 70% prioritized health insurance and 56% prioritized paid time off, with childcare ranking immediately after those benefits. For low-income parents, childcare was the leading workplace benefit for one-quarter of respondents. Many employees reported unclear benefit descriptions and infrequent employer communication about parent support options.

Read at Fast Company