LESS than 9 per cent of permanent employees say their companies provide childcare or pay for it, a 1,000-person survey by business support personnel firm Alectus has found.
Alectus general manager Christine Slattery said some organisations such as government departments and financial service firms were more sensitive to the childcare issue.
“More than 29 per cent of females surveyed said they would take a job with less pay if it offered childcare,” Ms Slattery said.
“This figure was even higher for those in the 19 to 24 and 25 to 34 year old age brackets who were more likely to look favourably on childcare as an attractive part of a salary package.
“A massive 97.7 per cent of all permanent employees believe childcare facilities or childcare financial provision should be made available for fathers as well as mothers.
“With the competition for skilled support staff increasing, organisations will have to become more creative about hiring practises, staffing arrangements and benefits.
“Australian firms will have to follow the US example where company provided childcare has become commonplace,” she said.
