Association of Female Executives of Trinidad and Tobago

Many of us experience, or know parents, who suffer the frustrations and challenges of balancing child care and work hours. It is not uncommon for employees to rush off to pick up children, then fight the traffic to get back to work, now completely stressed out and unable to function at optimum level. Finding reliable, appropriate and inexpensive facilities to leave children between school ending and the completion of the work day is a serious concern for parents. As a result, many of our school children end up wandering the streets after school, unsupervised and vulnerable to the criminal elements in our society.

Statistics are not available in Trinidad, but in the USA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics studies reveal that there are 29 million children under 13 who have both or their only parent in the workforce. Roughly half of these children are taken care of by relatives, while others are in day care facilities or family care centers, run by licensed providers in their own homes.

American businesses are increasingly paying attention when employees say they have trouble with childcare. And they have good reason for doing so, says Yvette Lester, Communications Director for the USA Women's Bureau. "U.S. corporations lose $3 billion a year because of employees taking time off because of child care. They can improve their bottom line if their employees aren't worried about their child."

According to a Women’s Bureau report, many companies have found this to be true. After establishing an on-site day care center for 90 children at its Morristown, N.J., headquarters, AlliedSignal Corp. found that lost work time dropped by 89%. Parents also reported that they could concentrate better on work and were more productive. The DuPont Co. in Wilmington, Del., calculated that it saved 1,480 employee days that would have been lost if not for its child care program. The program included emergency backup for days when regular childcare fell through or when children became sick.

Childcare policies can cover a variety of options. Some companies start on-site day care centers, while others provide financial assistance for using off-site facilities. Other options include flexi-time, which gives employees the chance to work beyond the standard 8 to 5 workday and flexi-place, which will allow them work at home.

In Trinidad and Tobago a number of firms have already begun taking the issue seriously and the Ministry of Legal Affairs already operates a very effective childcare facility for its’ staff. AFETT is committed to presenting all employers with affordable and effective childcare solutions for working parents in Trinidad and Tobago, buoyed by Government promises in the last budget.

In closing, local companies and government agencies should be reminded of the proven benefits that accrue from support to the working parent, not only the demonstrated financial benefits, but in a world of increasing competition for top talent, they should also be cognisant of the fact that employers who offer child care facilities are more appealing to candidates and can also be assured of a more loyal and productive staff.

Written by Lara Quentrall-Thomas
15th January 2008