Cost A Key Barrier To Childcare Help For Workers

A MORI Social Research Institute survey of Britain's big employers published by Daycare Trust and BUPA Children@work for the start of the first National Childcare Month

With a record number of parents in the workplace, Britain's big employers recognise the need to help their staff who have dependent children. A survey by the MORI Social Research Institute shows that big employers are prepared to listen to their staff and introduce more flexible hours and working practices.

Almost nine in 10 big employers think family friendly employment policies will become more important to employers in the next five years. This trend reflects the growing number of parents who work. Almost six out of 10 mothers with children aged under five are now at work, up 20% on the past 10 years. On average, the big employers said almost half of their staff are parents with dependent children.

Childcare problems faced by working parents are also causing problems for big employers:

• 70% say childcare problems mean staff are unable to work extra or late hours when needed;
• 66% cite absenteeism due to childcare problems;
• 55% late attendance or leaving work early;
• 44% difficulties recruiting and retaining the staff they need;
• 42% tiredness, irritability or stress;
• 40% say childcare problems lead to female staff not returning to work after maternity leave.

But while the vast majority of big employers surveyed recognise the growing importance of family friendly employment policies, almost three quarters (73%) say that the main barrier to introducing or expanding childcare support for staff is the cost.

Of big employers, nine in 10 (91%) agree the Government should help employers to implement family friendly policies. A majority (79%) also say the Government should encourage employers to develop childcare support through funding — such as further tax incentives. Nearly a third would like Government to provide advice and guidance; 26% want legislation to make provision mandatory and 18% think rewards such as Investors in People would encourage employers to do more.

Two in five (42%) of big employers — who say they aren't very family friendly — say more part-time and flexitime working would make their organisation more family friendly. Almost a quarter said more or better workplace nurseries are key.

The survey shows that employers clearly see flexible working arrangements as easier to implement than direct help with childcare. Currently 81% of big employers have part-time or flexible working; 76% job sharing and 52% home-working. In the future 71% plan to extend part-time and flexible working; 74% job sharing and 45% home-working.

Providing help and advice to working parents on finding childcare is the most common childcare support provided by big employers. 58% currently offer childcare information services and 60% plan to introduce or expand these services.

Providing support with childcare has significant benefits for employers according to the survey. Over half (52%) of big employers say it would ensure that they do not lose good staff due to childcare problems; 40% say it would help recruit new staff and 30% say it would be good for staff morale.

Other key findings in the MORI SRI survey include:

• 92% of big employers agree that there is a recognised business case for companies to introduce childcare and family friendly policies
• 74% agree employers should offer support with childcare for employees with dependent children

Technical details

MORI conducted 104 telephone interviews with staff responsible for recruitment and personnel for a representative sample of big employers which have over 750 employees across Britain. Interviews were conducted by telephone between 17-24 April 2002

Copies of the full results of the 'Big Employers Childcare Survey' are available from Daycare Trust, 21 St George's Road, London SE1 6ES; t: 020 7840 3350; price £50.