The Impact of Childcare and School Schedules on COVID-19 Business Recovery

· by Brian Buchanan

Brian Buchanan is the VP of Operations at HTI. He has been with HTI since 2001.
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Childcare and school schedules could stall your business recovery. Unless you plan for it now.

As things re-open and the economy starts to move forward, there is going to be one big roadblock that will make it difficult for companies to get their associates back to work.

Childcare.

A TIME magazine article in mid-April stated that 30% of childcare facilities would not survive if they were closed for more than two weeks.  Everyone expects that number to be higher as the shutdowns continue. The race for enrollment at those facilities that stay open will be costly and competitive.

Also, this Fall K-12 schools will likely be on alternating shifts so that social distancing can be maintained. One likely scenario for the fall semester will be that classes will be divided into two teams and limit school attendance to two days per week per team. Or perhaps alternate on a 2 on 3 off, 3 on 2 off schedule Monday through Friday. Some districts are even considering an early morning team followed by a late afternoon team.

These types of scenarios are very likely and will make it difficult for parents to maintain their “old” work schedule. Any employer that adapts their schedule to the school schedule will have an advantage over other employers.   However, this may require an increase in headcount to maintain necessary production or service delivery.

A few ideas to consider for the remainder of this year:

  • Continue work from home options for those that don’t necessarily need to come into the office.
  • Match up shift/work schedules with the K-12 programs for your area.
  • Provide childcare for your employees that have younger children.
  • Supplement gaps with part time and temporary workers.

Childcare and school schedules have the potential to complicate your business recovery, but they don’t have to. HTI can help you work through these challenges with creative shift schedules and flexible workforces.