A recent report produced by McKinsey and the campaign dubbed Marshall Plan For Moms added more evidence that a lack of affordable, universal childcare is adversely affecting productivity and labor force participation in the United States.
The results of the survey, which polled 1,000 workers, showed that an overwhelming majority (69%) of women looking for work could be swayed to work for a company that offered childcare benefits. The founder of the Marshall Plan for Moms argued that such benefits would not only attract workers, but help retain them and boost worker satisfaction.
What was already an overly expensive and scarce option before the pandemic became virtually inaccessible to all but the most advantaged workers, and many parents, especially mothers, left the workforce to take on greater childcare duties. This was well-known when President Biden reached office, yet the administration’s “Build Back Better” carved out most all provisions designed for working parents.
Now the Marshall Plan for Moms, a bit of a misnomer as the Marshall Plan was a federal initiative, is hoping to convince corporate America to embrace the idea that providing childcare to workers will be good for both businesses and workers. The plan calls for big businesses to make pledges to provide childcare for workers.
Unfortunately, with the federal government unwilling to step in and mandate programs like family and medical leave and universal pre-K, we’re left only hoping corporations can pick up the slack.
