Childcare Issues

Quality childcare shortage hampers Canadian workforce
Kelly Global Workforce Index reveals nearly two out of three Canadian parents feel they would have more productive careers if more quality childcare was available
February 14, 2007

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Balancing between parenting and the workplace has never been easy. For Canadian parents, this fine balance has proven ever more difficult due to a lack of quality childcare, which can affect parents’ productivity in the workplace. The Kelly Global Workforce Index, an international survey commissioned by Kelly Services – the foremost global talent management solutions provider – reveals that Canadian parents would be more productive in their careers if more quality childcare was available.

Findings from the global index suggest that a total of 62 per cent of parents said they would work longer hours or take on more paid work if they could find quality childcare. 

“The survey shows there are a large number of educated, trained workers who would be more productive if only they could find adequate childcare,” said Kelly Services Managing Director, Karin French. “These people represent an important national resource. However, their value in terms of community and economy may be lost due to a lack of quality childcare.”

Kelly Global Workforce Index discovered the biggest barriers to finding appropriate childcare were:

• quality of service – 40 per cent
• cost – 27 per cent
• waiting lists – 13 per cent
• travelling time – 3 per cent

The survey also shows that women are more burdened by the lack of suitable childcare with 65 per cent claiming they would return to work or work longer hours if quality childcare service was available. However, men are also significantly affected as the survey indicates 59 per cent of men are held back from fully contributing to the workforce.

“Employers can often help by providing family-friendly workplaces, flexible hours or opportunities to work from home. Finding the right childcare service can be a daunting exercise for many who want to balance their family and working lives,” said French.

The survey found that 34 per cent of all parents surveyed did not use childcare.   Of those who are able to find suitable childcare:

• 31 per cent use private childcare
• 10 per cent use government-provided childcare
• nine per cent use government-subsidized private childcare

More than 10,000 Canadians participated in the Kelly Global Workforce Index, which captures the views of approximately 70,000 people in 28 countries.

About Kelly Services, Inc.
Kelly Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: KELYA, KELYB), headquarters in Troy, Michigan (United States), is a Fortune 500 company offering staffing solutions that include temporary staffing services, outsourcing, vendor on-site, and full-time placement. Kelly operates in 30 countries and territories and provides employment to more than 700,000 employees annuallywith a wide range of skills includingoffice services, accounting, engineering, information technologies, law, science, marketing, light industrial, education, and health care. In 2006, Kelly Services’ revenue was $5.6 billion (US). Visit our website at http://www.kellyservices.com.

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Additional materials available:
Kelly Services fact sheet
Childcare survey results – Canada, International