Final answer:
The implementation of onsite child care and supportive work policies like flextime and telecommuting by businesses result in reduced turnover and absenteeism, and improve morale. These measures help alleviate work-family conflict, demonstrating corporate commitment to employees' well-being. Governmental interventions such as child care subsidies further support working parents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Employers who have implemented onsite child care and supportive policies to mitigate work-family conflict report a range of benefits, including decreased turnover, decreased absenteeism, and improved morale among employees. To decrease work-family conflict and improve job satisfaction, companies have adopted various supportive policies. For example, IBM has a policy allowing for three years of job-protected leave after the birth of a child, demonstrating a long-term commitment to employees' family needs. In a similar effort to support their workforce, Lucent Technologies offers a year's childbirth leave at half pay. SC Johnson offers concierge services for employees to handle daytime errands, reducing the stress and time demands on their personal lives.
Policies like these reflect an understanding that supportive measures in the workplace, such as flextime, telecommuting, and paid leave, can significantly reduce work-family conflict. Flextime allows employees to structure their work hours around core times, providing the flexibility needed to meet family demands. Telecommuting offers the ability to work from home, often with adjustable hours, which can be tailored to accommodate family responsibilities. These practices must be backed by support from immediate supervisors and corporate culture that acknowledges the importance of balancing work and family life.
Child care costs are a significant hurdle for economic participation and have a pronounced impact on the labor force participation of women worldwide, as the cost of child care and other carework can discourage women from remaining in or joining the workforce. Policies such as subsidized child care, preschool, and kindergarten programs are crucial governmental interventions that help address these challenges and support working parents.