Daycare in the workplace

[Cerrita]

I've recently begun a proposal to persuade my employer to initiate some kind of daycare for our employees. Assuming my proposal is accepted, I'll be writing and distributing a survey of within our company to determine the need for such a service. I know there's a demand for daycare, but it seems to be falling on deaf ears.


What do you think?
Should companies with a large enough need provide daycare? (we're already getting the fitness center)
What sort of questions should I ask on the survey?
What kind of information should I gather from independent daycares?
As a CEO, what information would you want me to provide?


I'll admit, I think I'm in a bit over my head on this one.

[pyrozombie]

While I'm completely against the idea, I'll help you, because my insomnia is killing me slowly, and I need some points so I can chat with Carlin in heaven.

I don't like the idea from a psychological standpoint, but from the standpoint of getting by, I do.

Yes.(Why a fitness center?)

Is this a selective survey, or a general survey?

Methods, Materials for play, hell, wouldn't do bad if you got some interior design stuff too, kids may like a place better just on sheer appearances, meaning more comfort, meaning them actually wanting to be there, yadda-yadda.

Provide for what?

[Mitchell]

Apr 27, 2010 20:39:47 GMT -5 Cerrita said:

As a CEO, what information would you want me to provide?


I'll admit, I think I'm in a bit over my head on this one.

There is a principle called "what's in it for you." Whenever you are putting together a proposal or doing a presentation you must approach it from a standpoint of what's in it for your audience.

Without knowing your leadership, I would say the WIIFY probably boils down to two key points. Would a on-site daycare cut down on employee absenteeism trying to find other methods of daycare, and does an onsite daycare allow the firm to stand out (or catch up to) competitors when it comes to attracting and retaining talent?

The easiest way to answer the WIIFY question, though, is to ask them. Get a meeting with your boss' boss, say you're thinking about this proposal and want to consider if it's a good or bad idea for the company. They will tell you in that meeting why they do or don't like it. Then, you have the points you need to research to convince them to do it. If they say cost is an issue, find out how much it costs in other ways (absenteeism, etc) to NOT have it. If they worry about liability, find out how other companies deal with the liability issue. Then when you have those questions answered, you give your formal pitch. You'll feel confident going in because you know all the sticking points, have answers for them, and will come off as well prepared. That alone will get the deal half sold.

[Shep]

Was just thinking if a big, cheap, heartless company like Walmart ever started a daycare program it would be something like "The Wheel of Pain" from "Conan the Barbarian" LOL

[Don Quixote]

But then we'd have someone to fight against Wal*Mart, once he grew to be an unstoppable force of nature who worships Krom who also happens to have an Austrian Accent.

And then we can have him fight against Philip Morris with a Wizard, a Wild Woman, Wilt Chamberlain, An annoying thief, and an equally annoying princess. It would be the greatest piece of corporate warfare ever.

[Bix Dugan]

I have nothing to add, other than a recollection from a Simpson's episode that located a day-care in Mr. Burns' office.
One of his first actions upon returning was to kick those brats OUT!

[Cerrita]

Thanks for the advice.

Pyro, why is it your against the idea?

And they're giving us a fitness center because we're employee owned, and they care about our health. I'm also sure that insurance premiums figure in as well.

The survey will be open to all of manufacturing, although it's the parents that it will focus on.

[pyrozombie]

I'm not fully against it, It's that people aren't as responsible as they once were, and a whole child-at-the-workplace thing, depending on the workplace, seems somewhat unnerving. No I am not a parent, I am simply someone who is asked about to many news stories, because of it being entertaining when I'm angry.

as for survey questions, I have not a clue, I had some when I made that quote but my mind is a rusted-steel trap and I've forgotten.

[Gemini Man]

Never thought much about it so I'm thinking out loud here...

My biggest concern would be the expense. As someone with a decent salary and no kids (or any dependants), I already get HAMMERED in taxes compared to those who do. I'm sure it would be an expense only to those who would use the facilty, but it would still linger in the back of my mind that my company might still be putting up cash to support it in some way.

And if the profit sharing or raises dissappear with no major swings in market share, or supply & demand, the first thing I will look at is the internal costs (daycare in this case). Running a successful business is tough enough. It won't add real benefit if it ends up creating new problems elsewhere.

I have little sympathy for the whole daycare thing anyway. I believe they are a crutch for poor planning. But that's just me. And we all know the thought of having to pick up the slack for those who can't get it together is frustrating in any capacity.

[Chuck]

Man, some people have to work. Daycare is a necessity.

I'm all for it, if the company can afford it. Incredible perk and a reason to stay with the company.

[mummifiedstalin]

May 6, 2010 14:15:55 GMT -5 Gemini Man said:

I have little sympathy for the whole daycare thing anyway. I believe they are a crutch for poor planning. But that's just me. And we all know the thought of having to pick up the slack for those who can't get it together is frustrating in any capacity.

So are you saying that have children and trying to earn a living is "a crutch for poor planning"? I'm not sure I follow.

[Gemini Man]

My appologies if I'm stepping on anyone's toes with my beliefs about daycare. I was just reflecting back on my experience with having to spend most of my childhood in that kind of environment. And it SUCKED. I would have much prefered a "Leave it to Beaver" style family unit. Idealistic, I know. I understand there are many different situations. And we're inflated to the point that most households need 2 incomes. I'm just one man's opinion which I don't think is worth any debates on when to have or how best to raise kids.

But at the workplace, a co-workers childcare needs are not my concern. The point I'm making is that I am skeptical of company benefits that are not EQUALLY usable to all employees. I have no ill feeling towards folks who need to use daycare. I just don't want to pay for it. Of course I will listen to what's presented. And if I'm convinced the expense doesn't affect the overhead (or hinder my earnings/bonuses in ANY way), then I have no problem moving forward with it. I just don't yet understand how that would be possible.

So you guys know what's best for you. I respect that. Different people, different life priorities.

I'm just a generally insensitive, yuppy a$$hole who rolls out of bed every day thinking about how much cash I can get my hands on.

[bobjohnson]

Apr 30, 2010 2:16:54 GMT -5 pyrozombie said:

I'm not fully against it, It's that people aren't as responsible as they once were, and a whole child-at-the-workplace thing, depending on the workplace, seems somewhat unnerving. No I am not a parent, I am simply someone who is asked about to many news stories, because of it being entertaining when I'm angry.

as for survey questions, I have not a clue, I had some when I made that quote but my mind is a rusted-steel trap and I've forgotten.

How can you know that people are "not as responsible as they once were"? Isn't it early for you to claim that (you're 19 according to your profile)?

Anyway, it really comes down to cost and that is what will stall you if you can't find a assessment of needs or people that are behind it with money.

[mrsphyllistorgo]

Will this be a daycare for infants/toddlers, primary school, or junior high/beyond? Or all three?

If the majority of the daycare is focused on the 5 and under crowd, for instance, the kids will probably be brought by their parents in the morning and spend the majority of the day onsite. The parents will probably want to spend lunch with the kids, and nursing moms will want to schedule breast feeding.

If it's more for older kids, parents may need to arrange to leave midafternoon, pick up the progeny, and bring them back.

The point is to figure out what the needs are, figure out the hiring of staff for the daycare based on those needs, and figure out a cost /benefit analysis from there.

And be sure to point out what a boon this will be for ALL PARENTS, NOT JUST MOTHERS. Fathers care about their children too, and pointing out that daycare will make a two job household easier to manage from both ends of the parenting stick will be a huge carrot to dangle in front of juicy new hires, and a giant incentive for current valued employees to stay put.

[Mitchell]

A humble request:

Please stay on-topic here discussing how Cerrita can best present her idea to her bosses, as she asked for advice in starting the thread.

If you want to debate the merits or lack thereof regarding daycare, start a new (or contribute to an existing) thread in Observer's Brain.

and back to your regularly scheduled thread. . .