3 employee benefit ideas to help parents this school year

Back to school season is upon us, and this year is going to look very different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Varying school openings paired with a lack of available child care can mean some major challenges employees. Here are some practical ways companies can support team members.

Update your work at home policies

It is always a good idea to get clear on expectations and what it looks like to work remotely, if applicable. Discuss responsibilities, reporting and what you expect out of each team member and department during this transition.

Switch up your work week

This will vary based on your industry, but many business owners are looking at alternative work schedules as an option for working parents. Offering the option to work from home on Fridays, or to make up hours during the evening or on a weekend, would go a long way to easing their stress during this difficult situation.

Give your employees (and their kids) the tools they need to be successful

None of us planned to do virtual learning this fall, and many may be nervous about how they are going to manage working full time and teaching their kids from home. Companies can consider providing team members (and their kids) with the tools they need to be successful. For example, a year of the video game Prodigy Math is less than $60 a year and would allow team members to give their kids a fun learning activity that they could do while their parents are on a zoom call.