Survey reveals popularity of childcare vouchers among HR professionals

A poll of over 3,000 HR professionals conducted by Personnel Today has shown that around three-quarters (74 per cent) said childcare vouchers were important.

Some 31 per cent rated childcare vouchers as ''very important'', giving the employee benefit a similar rating to car allowances and non-contributory pensions.

It also revealed that childcare vouchers were much more likely to be offered to employees than eldercare vouchers were and there was a strong belief recorded that childcare vouchers improve an organisation''s reputation whilst helping to retain existing staff and attract new employees.

The government''s intention to scrap tax and national insurance contribution exemptions for childcare vouchers led a third of panellists to state that this would greatly impact on their firm''s provision.

One respondent said: "It will increase the barriers to women returning to and remaining in work after child birth."

And another added: "Many employers will scrap the scheme and therefore increase the costs of childcare for parents. This then may have a knock on effect for those that earn low salaries, who may then decide that they cannot afford to work." Back