Coronavirus / COVID-19 Productivity Assistance
During the Coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic, schools and most centers are closed, causing disruption and leaving remote workers doubling as primary caregivers. We can provide in-home care to increase employee morale and productivity through our emergency Back-Up Care benefit program. Nannies and Sitters have been deemed essentials workers in local orders, and are here to support your needs. (Note: Some child care expenses paid by the employer will qualify as “Payroll Expenses” for the purposes of federal stimulus PPP forgivable loans. Please coordinate with your lender to take advantage of this benefit.)
Corporate Back-up care Program
Employers provide emergency babysitter benefits to their employees in case they experience a breakdown in their regular childcare arrangements. In addition to the present COVID-19 situation, the reasons for care may include:
- Caregiver (including spouse) is sick
- Employee must work overtime and regular caregiver is unavailable
- Caregiver is on vacation, has to go out of town, or has unbreakable commitment for the day
- Vacations, holidays, breaks or early dismissal at your child’s school or daycare
- Business travel requires care
- Other unexpected disruptions
Employers provide subsidized coverage of their childcare in order for their employees to be able to work.
How does it work?
Companies contract with a back-up care company to offer the benefit. This may be a direct solution such as Mom’s Best Friend, or it is often a larger, comprehensive solution such as Bright Horizons, offering additional options such as elder care. When a need occurs, employees contact the backup care company to book care via a call center or emergency backup care phone line. Employees are typically allotted a set number of hours per calendar year by their employer, and employees often incur a small deductible as they utilize the care.
Why should companies offer backup care?
The benefits of a backup childcare program include:
- Reduced absenteeism
- Recruiting tool for best talent
- Reduced staff turnover
- Increased productivity
- Higher employee morale
- Peace of mind for employees
Do I have backup care? How do I get it?
Please contact your human resources department to find out if your company offers an emergency childcare benefit. For more information about getting a backup care program started for your company, please call 512.775.5437, or you can email her at laura.patterson@mbfagency.com.