Reference no: EM133615653

Question: With daycare costs skyrocketing and new parents unable to afford daycare or stay at home with the kids, I believe two solutions to this problem are having flexible work arrangements/remote work options and corporate childcare facilities. Most people have become comfortable navigating work online due to the shift to online work during the pandemic. If providing flexible work hours for new patients isn't possible, corporations should allow new parents to work remotely. This option can alleviate the challenges found by new parents because they can spend more time with their children and can balance work/family responsibilities more effectively. Ultimately, pushing for this shift will create a culture that values getting results rather than focusing on a 9-5 office presence. This also allows parents to work at their own pace. Babies and toddlers are unpredictable. If the parent has a challenging child, they can ensure they can care for their and their baby's health. For example, if the child has kept the parents up all night, they can sleep in so long that they get their work done throughout the day.

Corporate-sponsored childcare facilities are also a great option. Corporations can invest in having their childcare facility or partnering with an outside childcare facility to care for the employee's children. Not only does this option alleviate the burden of paying for childcare as an employee, but their children could be nearby (assuming that the corporation chooses to have an onsite option). With children being onsite, parents can also spend time with them during breaks. However, if corporations partner with a childcare facility, parents can drop off their children in the morning and pick them up after work. This option works well because childcare facilities are kept in business, and parents can ensure their children are safe. It's an excellent investment for the company because it incentivizes future employees and ensures employee productivity.