Workers with Backup Care Benefit Less Stressed, More
Productive
July 24, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Recent research by
Work Options Group, a Colorado-based company that specializes
in the provision of corporate-sponsored backup care, finds
89% of employees offered a backup care benefit say just
knowing it is available reduces their stress levels at
work.
According to a press release, 82% of those offered
the benefit said using it reduced their level of stress
at work. Nearly as many (78%) said it enhanced their
productivity at work.
Almost all (99%) said backup care is an important
employee benefit, while 77% said they ranked the backup
care as one of their top employee benefits. The same
number (77%) said being offered backup care makes them
more loyal to their employers. Ninety-four percent
reported that the benefit offering indicated to them that
their company wants them to be able to balance work-life
responsibilities.
If the backup care had not been offered, employees
said they would have had to:
-
Miss work to provide care for my loved one -
71%,
-
Conduct an independent search for short-term
care - 14%,
-
Ask friends or family to provide care for my
loved one - 13%, or
-
Other (including "work from home," "change my
work schedule" and "bring my child to work") -
2%.
Work Options Group said a growing number of
companies are adding backup care to their suite of
employee benefits in an effort to reduce unscheduled
absenteeism, boost workplace productivity, and support
employees with family care responsibilities. Backup care
acts as a "safety net" for employees who care for
children, adults, or elderly loved ones by providing
temporary care so employees can get to work when their
regular caregiving arrangements are unavailable.
Over the past year, the number of companies
offering the backup care program through Work Options
Group has increased 30%, the company reported.
Results from the 2008 Backup Care Survey are based
on responses from more than 1,200 people from 130 U.S.
companies who used the Backup Care Options program
between March 1 and May 31, 2008.
Rebecca Moore
editors@plansponsor.com