Discovery Channel has introduced a back-up care service giving all its 550 UK-based staff free emergency childcare, eldercare and school holiday cover.
The scheme, provided by My Family Care, adds to the firm's offering of childcare vouchers and discounts at a local nursery, to provide more flexibility around care arrangements. Jane Badger, learning and work-life consultant at Discovery Networks Europe, said: "A number of employees travel from all over London and sometimes, when their care breaks down, they have to stay home. We do not have the facilities to have a creche on site, so we felt this was the next best thing we could offer."
The benefit was communicated via email, desk-dropped leaflets and a lunchtime exhibition stand for staff to speak to My Family Care representatives. The provider firm also held a presentation to the Discovery Family Forum, a parent support group set up by employees.
Badger added: "We encourage employees to get together to be a point of support for each other. A number of parents came together to launch a support group, and my role is to make sure we are doing all we can to help parents juggle the demands of work and home."
