- Key insight: Discover how benefits strategy eases summer caregiving strains and protects productivity.
- What’s at stake: Unaddressed summer childcare needs threaten employee productivity and retention.
- Expert quote: Employees perform better when given the chance to enjoy their summer – Chloe Hellmer
Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review
It’s that time again — employees are looking for summer childcare and planning vacations all while trying to stay productive at work.
From saving on summer products with HSAs and FSAs to flexible schedules and PTO to summer camp and backup care, this is a perfect opportunity to remind workers about benefits and policies that make the coming months more manageable.
HSAs and FSAs
Backyard barbecues and beach vacations mean employees will be purchasing items like sunscreen, insect repellent and prescription sunglasses, all of which are HSA- and FSA-eligible. They can even use those accounts for prescription meal services and international tourism medical expenses.
“Too many employers make the mistake of only talking about these benefits during open enrollment, and the reality is that’s only a piece of the equation,” said Becky Seefeldt, founder, strategic advisor and communication advocate of benefits marketing firm Angel Vision. “You have to stagger communication throughout the year and provide those reminders on what is and isn’t FSA and HSA eligible.”
Read more:
- 13 FSA and HSA eligible expenses that may surprise you
- 3 free HSA tools to use during and beyond open enrollment
- Supporting financial wellness with HSAs and FSAs
Flexibility & PTO
Flexible hours, summer Fridays and companywide PTO can help workers manage alternate family schedules and take much needed time off.
“We believe people do their best work when they’re given the flexibility to actually enjoy life, especially during the summer,” said Chloe Hellmer, director of brand experience at Jobot, an AI-based platform that helps recruiters find job placements for candidates.
Read more:
- Leaders share their most popular summer benefits
- Olipop’s new PTO benefit encourages employees to take a summer vacation
- How benefit managers can get ahead of the summer PTO surge
Alternative childcare
Whether looking for summer camps, nanny or au pair services, or just a few hours of backup care, employers can assist working parents by offering financial supplements, partnerships with childcare operators, and caregiving resources that help them navigate nonschool-time schedules.
“Working parents are managing significant professional and caregiving responsibilities simultaneously, and reliable child care is often the foundation that makes everything else work,” said Dan Figurski, president of KinderCare for Employers and Champions.
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