Without schools or caregivers to rely on, some employees, particularly women, are making the difficult choice to leave the workforce or cut back their hours, despite the long-term damage to their finances and careers. Mercer, a leading human resources consulting firm, surveyed over 750 employers and said the great majority are allowing parents to change their schedules or offering other forms of flexibility to help them cope during the pandemic. So far only 8% have added or expanded direct childcare assistance, such as onsite, nearsite, or back-up childcare, but we expect to see this number increase. Childcare support is becoming a new essential employer benefit.