Day Care, Pay Raises, Rules on Part-Timers

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Q Our company is considering providing on-site or near-site child care for our employees. What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so? Are there any liability issues we need to consider?

A On-site or near-site child care facilities are sponsored by an employer and are operated either by the employer or by a child care provider. Such centers provide employees with reliable child care services at a place and time convenient for working parents.

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It is a well-known and popular benefit, but it's not widely available. Many employers find that the costs of running such a facility can be prohibitive.

Advantages of sponsoring an on-site or near-site day care center include reduced absenteeism and turnover, improved morale, higher productivity and quality of work, and federal and state tax breaks.

Disadvantages for employers in running such centers include the costs of starting and funding a center as well as the cost and availability of liability …