How companies can help reduce the gender drain

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Decades of academic studies, corporate surveys, and plain old common-sense show that when women lack access to affordable childcare, it can be a barrier to keeping them on the job. A recent report ² of US companies from care.com showed that childcare ranked among the highest of all employee-desired benefits alongside paid time off and health insurance coverage. That comes as no surprise as the cost of childcare continues to rise not just in the US but globally.

The majority of US parents spend 20% or more of household income on childcare, almost three times beyond what experts say are the affordable limits. In the UK, parents can spend up to two-thirds of take home pay on some form of external childcare.³ Globally, childcare providers are overstretched, waitlists are common and waiting times are lengthening as demand outstrips supply.⁴ Last year Japan’s government announced plans to offer JPY 3.5 trillion (more than USD 22 billion) in public funding for childcare services. ⁵

Corporate relief

Companies that want to relieve the strain on working mothers as well as the drain of potential talent away from the workforce can step up internal programs to help. Those programs range from onsite care, subsidies to cover external care, or preferential access to a pool of childcare service providers.

Moreover, flexible working options that give employees more control over when and where they work can also help women achieve better work-life balance without denting their workplace productivity. For companies, there is no time to lose. In the US, pandemic-era childcare funding ran out in October 2023, which increases the value and allure of employers that offer childcare and/or flexible working benefits.

A win for women, companies, and investors

The Robeco Gender Equality strategy affirms the value of women in the workforce. We use the power of investing to promote companies that are breaking down barriers for women and working mothers so they can be their best at work and at home.

The strategy systematically identifies and invests in companies which score high on a host of gender positive criteria including flexible working arrangements, childcare support, and employee wellbeing in addition to pay parity and diversity. This not only helps women and their families, but it is also a boon for shareholder value. Studies show that having the right ratios of women on boards, in management and within teams can significantly contribute to innovation, risk management and profitability.

That makes it an excellent addition to investors that want to combine positive returns with positive real-world change.

As we celebrate women and their contributions during the month of March, Robeco would like to pay a special tribute to working women, working mothers, and all those who are working to make the workforce a more equitable, inclusive, and productive environment.