Survey Finds Working Parents Fear Being Fired for Taking Child-Care Benefits

Since the pandemic, many children are doing remote learning which has caused some parents to alter their working schedules to assist them. Catalyst, a nonprofit that works to promote workplace inclusivity, partnered with CNBC to research “The Impact of Covid-19 on Working Parents.” In August, an online survey poll was conducted among 1,000 U.S. working parents of school-aged children ages 5 to 18. The results showed that 39% of working parents worry about being fired if they take advantage of child-care benefits their employers offer, CNBC reports.

Survey results also showed that 42% of working parents are reluctant to use child-care benefits their employers are offering, such as increased paid time off and flexible work hours, as they fear it might risk their jobs.

Kimberly Jones, people experience and markets center leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), told CNBC that parents have expressed concerns. Jones works with new working parents to navigate PwC’s new benefits like working reduced hours, engaging in flexible schedule arrangements, taking a sabbatical while retaining 20% of pay, and receiving help with childcare.

Working parents should talk with their employers about the benefits being offered, as well as any absences or changes that might occur, according to Rachael McCann, senior director of health and benefits at Willis Tower Watson, a global risk management, brokerage, and advisory firm.

Megan Sowa, director of strategic opportunities and alliances at Willis Towers Watson, told CNBC that the pandemic has challenged companies to create new support systems for workers, which also reduces stress and burnout. However, Sowa said that if the benefits or programs are not working, parents should talk to their employer, as good employers would try to make these benefits more accessible or improve a benefit so it can be utilized. Sowa added that working parents should also see if any employee resource groups or networks are available at their company to learn how others are using updated child-care benefits.