Employee Benefits
In Focus

Research proves childcare vouchers are a perfect fit for all!

Since they were introduced to UK workplaces by Accor Services over twenty years ago, childcare vouchers have become widely accepted as one of the most practical and cost-effective ways for employers to support working parents.

New research from the Social Market Foundation confirms that childcare vouchers have been accepted across society and have enabled working parents from different demographics and income groups to access reputable, reliable childcare, removing some of the pressure when it comes to balancing personal and professional commitments. According to this study, all occupational and socio-economic groups benefit from childcare vouchers, with manual and unskilled workers being one of the best represented groups.

Employer incentives to introduce childcare vouchers

From an organisational perspective, Accor Services’ own childcare voucher survey of 219 UK employers confirms childcare vouchers are a vital tool when it comes to engaging employees. 86% of employers we surveyed believe their childcare voucher scheme improves employees’ perception of them as an employer.

“In addition to supporting their employer brand, 70% of employers primarily offer a childcare voucher scheme to provide financial savings for working parents. Other reasons employers gave for offering a scheme include improving employee retention (28%) and supporting the recruitment of working parents,” explains Laura Czapiewski, childcare voucher product executive at Accor Services.

The Accor Services’ findings are backed up by findings from the Personnel Today HR Opinion Panel that suggests around two-thirds of employers offer childcare vouchers to employees because they believe they help to improve their reputation, retain existing staff and attract new employees.

Addressing misconceptions about childcare vouchers

Despite employers’ best intentions when it comes to making childcare vouchers available to their working parents – as the recent research discussed here shows – many organisations continue to resist putting a childcare voucher scheme in place.

According to the Accor Services’ Childcare Voucher Research, the primary reason for employers not to implement a childcare voucher scheme is a concern that it involves high levels of administration.

“Of course, a certain level of administration is only to be expected with any new employee benefit,” acknowledges Laura Czapiewski. “However, a Childcare Voucher scheme is simple to set up and, the ongoing voucher administration is managed by the provider. A good provider will help communicate the scheme to your employees, provide the employees’ contract amendments and orders are generally made online, making it a quick and effective process for all parties.”

Other concerns employers have about introducing a childcare voucher scheme relate to vouchers being relevant to their organisations. For example, many are concerned that vouchers are only for large companies.

“If anything, vouchers are an even more valuable resource for SMEs whose productivity can be seriously affected if a key member of staff leaves or fails to come back after maternity leave. There is also a very low level of ongoing administration with a voucher scheme, making them a practical option for businesses that don’t have the back up of a fully-fledged HR team,” says Accor Services’ Laura Czapiewski.

Next Steps

Download Accor Services’ latest childcare voucher research here.

Also in this issue

Research predicts future landscape of benefits communications
Find out why the future needs a blend of face-to-face and technology enabled communications.

Research proves childcare vouchers are a perfect fit for all!
Latest industry research confirms how childcare vouchers are a great solution for all organisations and working parents.

Now is the time to make total reward a reality
This year needs to be the year you introduce total rewards to your business. Find out how with our best practice steps.

Moneyway shows SMEs how to make benefits matter
Learn how this SME has developed a benefits package that nurtures organisational culture and retains and engages talent.

News in brief

Accor Services awarded ISO 14001
We’re working to reduce our environmental footprint and decrease our pollution and waste.

Accor Services is ‘one to watch’
The 2010 Best Companies Accreditation officially lists Accor Services as ‘one to watch’.

Helpdesk callers getting happier!
Accor Services’ Helpdesk Satisfaction Research confirms callers to the childcare voucher helpdesk are increasingly satisfied with the services they’re getting.

In the next issue...

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