Employer Options
Idaho Family-Friendly Employer Options
Employee Assistance Programs
Flexible Spending Accounts
Dependent Care Assistance Plans
Providing employees with support for issues that affect their well-being can lead to increased productivity and engagement. An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, work-based program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems. Learn more here. Review this sample employee assistance program policy template.
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a special account where employees can set-aside up to $3,300 annually in pre-tax dollars to reimburse for health related expenses. Employers benefit from the savings associated with not being required to pay FICA or FUTA on pre-tax dollars. Learn more here.
Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAPs) enable employees to put aside up to $5,000 annually in pre-tax dollars to be used to reimburse child care expenses. Employers benefit from the savings associated with not being required to pay FICA or FUTA on pre-tax dollars. Learn more here. Review this sample dependent care assistance plan policy template.
Working Remotely (Telecommuting)
Predictable Scheduling
Flextime
The U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey conducted between August 20 – September 16, 2024 found that 32.3% of Idaho parents with children under age 18 are working either entirely remotely or in some type of hybrid manner. Gallup polling shows that highly engaged workplaces claim 41% lower absenteeism and 21% higher profitability. See Boise State University's remote work and alternative work schedule policy as an example.
A May 2021 Bipartisan Policy Center survey of parents with children under age 6 found that 29% of parents had 2 weeks or less advance notice of their work schedule. When parents have sufficient notice or a set schedule, it makes balancing work and family easier, including scheduling child care for times when they need it. Idaho parents working at Walmart have at least two weeks’ notice of work schedules, which makes balancing work and family easier.
Multiple surveys show that workers would leave a job for one that offers a flexible schedule. Offering flexible schedules can be a recruitment and retention tool for employers. See the University of Idaho's flex-time policy as an example.
Employers & Employees Benefit from DCAPs
Watch this YouTube video to learn more about the benefits of creating a Dependent Care Assistance Plan.