What Employers Can Do for Employees Whose Children Have Special Needs
According to statistics from “Disability and American Families,” 2 out of every 7 of the 72.3 million families included in the US Census Bureau Report have at least one member with some form of disability. For working parents of a child with special needs, the challenges can be monumental. Another report states that 13 to 15 percent of children in the US have special health care needs.
Today, many employers are stepping up to the plate to provide their employees with assistance to support their families’ needs. Of course, each employer determines what services they can and cannot offer. Larger corporations often have funding that small businesses do not for these services. However, the personal aspect of working for a smaller company may mean that the employee can discuss her or his needs directly with the owner to facilitate a positive outcome.
Employers today realize that to attract top talent, they need to differentiate themselves from other companies. A lot of time and resources goes into training employees. Minimizing turnover saves money and increases productivity. That often translates to enhancing benefits and resources. Companies that recognize the increased stress and financial hardship of their employees who deal with caring for a child with special needs and provide helpful resources can significantly impact the lives of those who work for them.
Benefits Parents of Children with Special Needs May Find at Some Companies
Not only is this a call out to working parents on what to look for in a company but to employers, as well, who are wondering how they can better serve their employees.
$ Resource Navigation/Employee Assistance Programs – many larger companies have an employee-assistance program. One call can lead to referrals for childcare, help with homework, tutoring, emotional support, special needs resources, and more. Companies that provide this type of service make it possible for the employee to do his or her job while professionals in the field find the solutions necessary. Instead of the employee spending hours on the telephone and internet, the program handles the tasks for them.
$ Flexible Schedules – many companies today offer employees a chance to set their own hours. Some people may work 7 – 4, 8 – 5, 9 – 6, or even 10 to 7. Flexible working hours are extremely beneficial for a parent who has to deal with doctor visits and therapeutic appointments. Some parents report missing an average of five hours of work each week due to these needs.
$ Increase Paid Time Off – it is easy for a parent of a special needs child to burn through sick pay and even vacation pay when taking time off to address a child’s needs. Taking time off without pay often leads to further financial hardships. Some companies increase funds for family, medical, maternal and paternal leave, while others address the situation on a case by case basis. Another option is allowing other employees the opportunity to “donate” a day of their sick pay or vacation time to help a co-worker in need.
$ Flexible Spending Accounts – FSAs allow employees to place pretax dollars in accounts that help cover childcare and health care expenses.
$ On-site Care – from wellness centers to daycare facilities, some companies provide in-house aid for their employees and their families. Some companies even offer on-site care for children with special needs, hiring trained professionals in these fields so that the parents can continue to work with the knowledge that their children are well-cared for nearby.
$ Subsidizing Childcare Costs – many companies today offer subsidies for childcare, whether onsite or off-site at childcare centers. Working Mother’s list of the 100 Best Companies shows that 92% of the companies on their list offer at least some form of backup childcare. 27% provide subsidies at on-site childcare centers.
The more resources an employer can provide to parents of children with special needs, the more productive that employee can be in her or his job. If the company you work for does not provide any benefits, you may find some resources at https://www.brighthorizons.com/family-solutions/college-coach [1].
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- Planning for Your Special Child’s Future: It’s Never “Too Early” to Start! [18]
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This post originally appeared on our September/October 2018 Magazine [29]