The school closures across Viet Nam, as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, are posing new challenges to working parents. Many are struggling to fulfil both their work and family obligations due to lack of flexible work arrangements, childcare support and paid leave policies that take into consideration their care giving responsibilities.
Without support from parents, children’s health, education and emotional well-being is at risk. There are concerns relating to children’s protection if they are left alone or with temporary caregivers, who are not trained to take care of children.
By introducing family-friendly workplace policies and practices, your company or organisation will be in a better position to promote children’s safety and wellbeing and provide systematic support to your employees. Not only do family-friendly policies pay off in healthier, better-educated children, and greater gender equality, they are linked to better workforce productivity and the ability to attract, motivate and retain employees. In addition, such policies have been found to improve employee learning and innovation due to increased self-determination and fewer work-life conflicts and stress.
Download UNICEF's report HERE.
Source: UNICEF Vietnam