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Not every problem is startup shaped. > think a benefits platform that allows companies to offer daycare as a benefit Companies could offer daycare as a benefi
by untog 7y ago
Not every problem is startup shaped.
> think a benefits platform that allows companies to offer daycare as a benefit
Companies could offer daycare as a benefit today if they wanted to. It isn't their benefits platform holding them back.
In fairness, I can see why companies don't offer daycare as a benefit: it's enormously expensive (particularly in major metros) and it would be very difficult to plan what % of your employees would be utilising it at any one time.
Other countries have solved this problem by making it everyone's problem: the government subsidises it. I won't hold my breath waiting for the US to do the same.
- brlewis 7y agoIt doesn't fit the HN definition of startup, but here's a small, growing company doing just that: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Horizons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bright_Horizons
- untog 7y agoOh, I've used them! I just really don't think they're a startup by any definition. Founded in 1986, 30,000 employees, 1,000 locations. And they aren't offering a benefit platform, they're running actual daycare locations. Their connection to employers is also most commonly providing "backup care", not solid day-to-day daycare. Nothing to sniff at of course, but that alone will not solve the problem for working parents.
- ng7j5d9 7y agoAnd according to one company, daycare as a benefit pays for itself by reducing turnover ... although Patagonia really stands out by offering such a benefit in the current environment. If such a benefit became the norm maybe people would go back to hopping between jobs at something close to the previous rate. https://www.fastcompany.com/3062792/patagonias-ceo-explains-how-to-make-onsite-child-care-pay-for-itself https://www.fastcompany.com/3062792/patagonias-ceo-explains-...