Today, more and more employees are struggling to balance the demands of their jobs and their home life. Working parents may have a higher rate of absenteeism due to a variety of child care issues: covering for teacher work days and school holidays, caring for sick children or covering for sick child care providers, attending school conferences and/or taking children to doctor’s appointments, or responding to the unexpected such as snow days. It can be overwhelming!

If you are stressed over managing expectations at work and the needs of your family, you may have options you haven’t considered. Your employer may also be willing to work with you. Would changing your work schedule mean that you could get to work on time and pick up your children on time? Do you need an occasional morning off for parent conferences and pediatric appointments? Would you be willing to work on a Saturday to cover lost time at work when your child was sick? Take time to learn about your options at work. 

You can also contact your employee assistance program (EAP) for information on available resources.  EAP work/life counselors can assist you in finding a variety of options for child care.  Your EAP can also provide coaching on how you may be able to make changes in your life to lower the stress of it all.  Guidance can be offered in how best to speak with your manager about a flexible work schedule if that’s what you’re seeking.  Free financial counseling available through the EAP could help you navigate a reduction in your work hours if needed.  You’d be surprised to find out how many ways your EAP can help! 

Excerpts taken from Child Care Issues and Your Workplace, Volume 17, The Daily Parent, prepared by NACCRRA, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.