A Brief Introduction to the Childcare Survey As more and more parents with young children enter the workforce, childcare needs expand and create tension throughout society. Parents can face childcare costs of hundreds of dollars depending on the age of children and the amount of care needed. To the extent that childcare needs go unmet, or are inadequately met, employers may have difficulty scheduling workers or even retaining workers.
Employee turnover costs employers a great deal of money.
There are separation costs, replacement costs, vacancy costs, and training costs. Employers also face considerable costs from lost work when employees experience conflict between work commitments and their children's needs. Recognizing the potential impacts childcare needs might have, the Columbia County Labor Forum decided to investigate the issue. The findings of this report are taken from a survey conducted by the Childcare Team of the Labor Forum. Several companies were contacted to determine which would be interested in allowing a survey of employees.