Study Finds: Childcare Support Boosts Corporate Success
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, German companies are redefining their approach to work-life balance, with a growing emphasis on family-friendly policies. According to the Nuremberg Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB), an average of one day of work absences per employee was recorded due to lack of childcare in the first half of 2020, leading to over 40 million workdays being lost [1][5].
This trend is not going unnoticed. 82% of companies now view childcare as a central factor for their company's productivity [2]. Recognising the business economic importance of reconciling family and work, 68% of companies have collaborated with their employees to develop solutions for childcare [2].
The shift towards family-friendly company policies is seen as paying off. Companies are realising that these policies are not only beneficial for employees but also for the economy as a whole. A good balance between family and work is crucial for the success of the German economy, as stated by the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Franziska Giffey (SPD) [6].
This new approach is reflected in the implementation of movement-friendly schedules, digital boundary setting, and support structures for employees with children. Companies are adopting longer lunch breaks for walking or resting, and policies that restrict work communications outside of regular hours, such as "no email after hours," to protect employees' private time and reduce burnout [5].
Moreover, there is a growing emphasis on creating supportive environments for working parents. Some German companies maintain or seek recertification as family-friendly workplaces, signalling a formal commitment to reconciling work and family life through flexible arrangements and supportive policies [3].
Guidance documents from organisations like BAFA underscore the importance of children’s rights and parental working conditions, encouraging companies to consider how workplace policies affect families and children, integrating due diligence on child rights within corporate responsibility frameworks [1].
The "Success Factor Family 2020" company day, scheduled to take place on Friday, is a testament to this shift. This event aims to recognise and celebrate companies that have made significant strides in implementing family-friendly policies.
In summary, the key trends in Germany involve flexible working hours, digital communication limits, formal recognition of family-friendly practices, and an increased corporate focus on children's rights as part of work-life balance efforts post-COVID-19 [1][3][5]. Family-friendliness in companies is now seen as a real locational advantage for attracting and retaining skilled workers.
[1] https://www.bafa.de/DE/Themen/Arbeitgeber/Arbeitsmarktpolitik/Kinderrechte/kinderrechte_node.html [2] https://www.iab.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2020/2020-06-25-01.html [3] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/familie/familienfreundliche-unternehmen-1668336 [5] https://www.iab.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2020/2020-09-14-01.html [6] https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/familie/familienfreundliche-unternehmen-1668336
- Other German companies, following this trend, are integrating health-and-wellness practices into their workplace, recognizing the importance of employee health to overall business productivity and the economy.
- In light of the pandemic, finance departments in various businesses are increasingly prioritizing workspace wellness initiatives, understanding that these measures can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce, benefiting both employees and the companies' bottom line.
- This shift towards family-friendly policies and workplace wellness has started to reshape the German business landscape, with some companies leveraging these practices to attract top talent, further solidifying the connection between health-and-wellness, family-friendliness, and business success.
