It is that time of year. You may have noticed some signs of anxiety among your teams. Back to school can be challenging for families as they adjust to new routines and try to navigate conflicts with work schedules. As an employer, there are things you can do to support your working parents.
Having flexibility in the workplace is one-way employers can assist those who have children returning to school (and a good thing for all employees). For instance, you may offer the opportunity to make up time if the employee would like to arrive late/leave early for drop off/pick up, to support participation in an extracurricular activity, or to handle emergency childcare situations that require backup childcare.
The school year often brings about additional financial strains. Things like dependent care flexible spending accounts allow your employees to earmark tax-free money for child care and qualify them for reimbursement on childcare-related expenses.
It is also important to remember applicable laws. Familial status is a protected category in some jurisdictions. Parents of children with special needs are allowed to use intermittent FMLA to attend medical appointments, school meetings, and therapies, and on occasion what may be seen as child care.
Additionally, employers in some states are required to provide leave for parents and guardians to attend their children's school-related activities. States that require employers to provide leave for parents and guardians to attend their children's school-related activities include California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. Other states have enacted legislation that encourages, but does not require, employers to provide school-related leave to employees.
It is crucial for employers to understand leave management obligations, and have a mix of measures that reflect balancing the needs of their workers, business operations, and customers. Employers can support their employees with a variety of options. Getting creative within legal guidelines helps businesses retain talent and maintain positive employee relations.