Absenteeism, lateness costly for employers

WORKING parents’ absenteeism, lateness, low productivity, distraction, exhaustion, and stress because of childcare responsibilities is costing Fijian businesses 12.7 workdays per employee annually.

This, according to the Supporting gender equal workplaces in Fiji report commissioned by the International Finance Corporation through its Gender and Economic Inclusion Group in East Asia and the Pacific.

“The business case for employer-supported childcare in Fiji research by IFC found that each year businesses and the public sector in Fiji lose an average of 12.7 workdays per employee due to the responsibilities of working parents, which can cause absenteeism, lateness, low productivity, distraction, exhaustion, and stress,” the IFC report stated.

“Childcare responsibilities are having significant impacts on the productivity of working mothers and fathers and their ability to consistently perform at work and focus on their jobs.

“The challenge of working and raising children in Fiji affects the choices parents make about the type of work they do; their career aspirations; the hours they work, and even whether they stay in the workforce at all.

“Impacts are significantly higher for women who are often the primary caregiver for children.”

The report said by offering childcare support to employees, employers could expect a range of benefits.

“These include reduced absenteeism and turnover among workers with young children, greater employee concentration, motivation and productivity, improved ability to recruit employee relations and enhanced corporate reputation.”