Supporting Employees Who Have to Balance Parental Obligations with Work Obligations

Introduction

One of life’s most rewarding and challenging aspects is balancing raising children while meeting work responsibilities. A parent’s fundamental obligation is to ensure their children obtain the necessary education to succeed. Children who are engaged and supported at school usually become successful adults. Parental engagement is a key factor in their children’s successful education. Employers should recognize that parenting obligations extend beyond married employees; sometimes, “parenting” involves caring for parents, siblings, or a spouse.

The Importance of Parental Engagement

Employers must consciously recognize how their policies or actions impact family functions, unintentionally creating work situations that do not support parental obligations. In the last few years, the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated homeschooling significantly impacted the parenting process, creating problems with presenteeism. Balancing parental educational obligations while working from home has been difficult for many. As more children return to in-person schooling, parental obligations change and evolve.

Suppose a company wants to recruit and retain the best and brightest employees. In that case, it must have specific family-friendly programs in place (in the broadest sense of the word) and designed to help parents meet parenting challenges.

Impact of Work Policies on Family Functions

Presenteeism is a productivity issue caused by distracted workers or physically unwell. It occurs when employees are not fully focused on their work activities due to child care, schooling issues, family concerns (aging parents), illness, or injury. Employees experiencing presenteeism are, by definition, trying to give their best efforts but are physically or mentally unable to do so. Although not tracked like absenteeism, the presenteeism costs have been estimated to be more prominent in real terms as employees suffering from longer-term conditions see persistent drops in productivity.

Challenges of Remote Work During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges for parents working from home. Balancing work responsibilities with homeschooling and other parental duties led to increased presenteeism. As children return to in-person schooling, these obligations are evolving, requiring new strategies for balance. The work environment is rapidly changing. Many organizations want their employees back in the office, while the workforce wants to continue with remote working programs. One factor driving this tension is parental obligations.

Strategies for Supporting Parental Obligations

Employers who adopt programs specifically to address school-related presenteeism by providing flexible work hours and encouraging parental involvement in their children’s education and school activities are more likely to recruit and maintain a productive workforce. Here are some specific strategies and activities employers can implement:

1. 1. Awareness of the School Calendar: Employers and parents should know the school calendar and the associated parental obligations required for each event.
   2. Encourage Participation: Employers should encourage and celebrate parents’ participation in school-based activities (field trips, Halloween parades, birthday parties, sporting events, ).
   3. Avoid Costly Policies: Employers should avoid policies that significantly increase parents’ costs, such as high late pick-up fees at after-school facilities.
   4. Respect Drop-off and Pick-up Times: Meetings or work responsibilities should not impair a parent’s ability to safely drop off or pick up a child from school or childcare facilities.
   5. Accommodate Single Parents and Caregivers: Single parents or grandparents responsible for school-age children may have unique needs that should be accommodated.
   6. Coordinate with School Administrators: Employers should check with administrators to help determine participation and scheduling for pre-school and after-school activities and
   7. Communicate Responsibilities: Parents should inform employers of their schooling responsibilities and obligations to facilitate
   8. Support During Emergencies: Employers should work with employees to ensure they can promptly attend to sick children or emergencies without fear of retribution.
   9. Promote Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs): Encourage employees to use EAPs if they face overwhelming issues.
   10. Align Incentives: Internal company financial incentives and production goals should align to avoid accidental pressure on parents not to meet their schooling obligations.

Typical School Calendar

Employers should be aware of the typical school calendar to support their employees’ parental obligations better:

• • First day of school Labor Day
  • Back to school night Field trips
  • Halloween
  • Medical emergencies Homesick days “Snow” days
  • Birthday parties Homework
  • After school activities Pick up a child on time Thanksgiving break
  • Winter concert/talent show Holiday party and break Martin Luther King weekend
  • President’s holiday and ski week Valentine’s Day
  • Parent-teacher conferences Spring break
  • Testing Open House
  • Regularly scheduled medical visits (eye, dental, etc.) Team sports (gymnastics, soccer, baseball, football, etc.) Memorial Day
  • Summer break

Conclusion

Employers who support the family will have better presenteeism and more excellent employee retention if they understand and support the education of their employees’ children. Front-line supervisors should know local school calendars and work with employees’ schedules and obligations to facilitate an engaged and productive workforce.

Employers can create a balanced approach that promotes growth, innovation, and safety by fostering an environment that encourages learning from successes, recognizing the challenges of new tasks, and establishing well-thought-out guardrails. Incorporating checklists and supportive measures ensures consistency, facilitates training, and enhances compliance, ultimately contributing to a more effective and successful learning environment.