Why Parents Receive Benefits at Work

Discrimination Discussion

There is some question over whether firms should contribute to the cost of care of parenthood and procreation, which not all employees share (Blanc & Meijers, 2020). Non-parent employees do not have such costs, yet it may be the case that they have to cover shifts or work different roles because they are more available than employees who are parents. Yet employees who are parents are playing an important role in society and they are essentially holding down two jobs because parenting is every bit as much a full-time job as any other full-time job—so in that regard it is fair that they receive benefits (Olsaretti, 2022).

However, work-life balance has become an increasingly important topic of discussion in recent years. As the demands of work and family life have become more demanding, employers have responding by offering a variety of family-friendly benefits, flexible scheduling options, and on-site child care services. While these policies can be beneficial for employees with children, there is some argument that they may unintentionally create conditions in which employees without children are treated less generously than those who are eligible for these benefits because they have children (Blanc & Meijers, 2020). One explanation for this phenomenon is that employers may view employees with children as being more committed to their jobs and less likely to leave the workforce in order to care for their families (Olsaretti, 2022). As a result, they may be more likely to invest in these employees by offering them better benefits and opportunities for advancement. Another explanation is that childless employees may be seen as less deserving of work-life balance benefits because they do not have the same responsibilities as employees with children. This perception can lead to childless employees being given less generous benefits packages or being passed over for flexible scheduling options (Blanc & Meijers, 2020). Whatever the reason, it is clear that family-friendly policies can unintentionally create a situation in which childless employees are at a disadvantage.

Still, as the Bible says, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28), it is clearly consistent with God’s will that people have children and increase and populate the earth. It is also practical because, as God knows in His wisdom, it is the propagation of children from generation to generation that ensures life will continue and wisdom can be passed from one generation to the next. This is just God’s wisdom and also His command, and firms inherently recognize the goodness of that mission and cause and see parents doing their part and they want to support that because it is part of the goal of most firms to champion their employees.