From NBS News Job Report: The August jobs report reveals that 69,000 employees missed work due to childcare issues, matching a record high for the month and highlighting a persistent post-pandemic trend.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of many childcare facilities, and numerous centers struggled to reopen due to financial challenges and staffing shortages. These shortages have driven up childcare costs.
The lack of affordable and accessible childcare has significant economic implications, particularly for women. Mothers often take on unpaid caregiving responsibilities when their families cannot find or afford child care, affecting not only their personal livelihood but also the businesses that employ them.