How to Support Working Parents During an Uncertain Back-to-School Transition

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It seems like not long ago, we were optimistic that the end of the pandemic was in sight. But with the rapid surge of the delta variant, it’s clear that this is no longer the case. For working parents, it’s a frustrating turn of events driving what feels like never-ending uncertainty. Many anticipated that schools would resume normal operations this fall, which would have reduced some of their caretaking burdens and allowed them to reenter the job market or take on more hours.

But just a few weeks into the school year, the hope for a normal back-to-school season is quickly fading. Already, at least 90,000 children in 19 states have had to quarantine after contracting COVID-19 or coming into contact with someone who tested positive. In a few cases, schools have had to close entirely — and some of the largest districts in the U.S. have not even begun their school year yet.

Pandemic response policies such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which included the maternal and paternal leave needed to care for children due to school and childcare closures, provided some support. However, the act excluded many workers, and it was only mandatory through December 31 of last year. Although private employers were able to voluntarily extend FFCRA paid leave, the optional extension expires on September 30.  

While several long-term proposals to support working parents have been put forward in Congress, it will take time for these to be passed into law. And at the state level, there are varying levels of assistance available when it comes to paid leave and childcare resources. For example, roughly two-thirds of the U.S. labor force live in states that have not passed or implemented their own paid leave programs.

In the absence of legislative solutions, employees are turning to their employers for support more than ever before. Most experts agree that there are three key areas companies should focus on if they want to help working parents succeed during this unpredictable time: flexibility, benefits (including paid leave and childcare), and workplace culture.

To read the full article, subscribe to my FREE Workplace Intelligence Insider Newsletter. You’ll learn:

• Why flexible arrangements will remain critical for parents during the back-to-school transition, and ways you can offer flexibility that won’t negatively affect your business
• The benefits and programs that will be key for working parents during the next phase of the pandemic, and how offering these can impact employee retention and recruitment
• How to create a culture that supports working parents, and why a family-friendly culture is essential if you want to drive real change for your people