Working Through COVID-19
Family Responsibilities Survey
As COVID-19 continues to shift the daily rhythms of Canadian households, millions of Canadians are feeling the pinch to balance competing demands of work and family. What are their employers doing to help?
The Conference Board has asked organizations across Canada how they’re accommodating employees with family responsibilities.
Here’s what we found.
Note: Survey responses were collected on Monday, April 6, 2020. These findings are part of a Conference Board series on work and pay during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
Most organizations have employees impacted by family responsibilities
Q: Are you aware of any employees who can’t work their regular work schedule due to family responsibilities?
(n = 283; percentage of organizations)
Note: Totals do not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada..
In this study, we define family responsibilities as: caring for children, elderly parents, disabled family members, sick family members, or other dependent family members of any age.
With school and daycare closures in effect across the country, many support services are now unavailable. Families are being told to stay put, and daily routines no longer apply.
How are organizations accommodating employees who need some flexibility?
New realities mean new accommodations
Q: For employees who cannot work their regular working hours due to caregiving needs, what accommodations has your organization provided?
(n = 185; percentage of organizations)
Note: Total is greater than 100 as respondents could select more than one option.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
When flexibility isn’t enough…
Working less: Same pay, fewer hours
Q: For employees who remain employed but can’t work full hours due to family responsibilities, how is your organization compensating them for the hours they cannot work?
(n = 150; percentage of organizations)
Note: Total is greater than 100 as respondents could select more than one option.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Can’t work: No clear approach for sidelined workers’ pay
Q: For employees who remain employed but can’t work at all due to family responsibilities, what kind of compensation is your organization providing?
(n = 96; percentage of organizations)
Note: Total is greater than 100 as respondents could select more than one option.
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
In this study, we define family responsibilities as: caring for children, elderly parents, disabled family members, sick family members, or other dependent family members of any age.
With school and daycare closures in effect across the country, many support services are now unavailable. Families are being told to stay put, and daily routines no longer apply.
Three out of four organizations are thinking ahead
Q: Are you developing a long-term plan for employees struggling to balance work demands and family responsibilities?
(n = 283; percentage of organizations)
Source: The Conference Board of Canada.
Want more info? Access our remote work and pay premiums survey findings–part of our ongoing Working Through COVID-19 series.