Unilever Ghana launches child-care centre for employees
Recent studies have shown that a workplace day care can improve employee morale, lower absenteeism and turnover because fewer employees need to take time off to look after their children.
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However, many working parents may find it hard to imagine a day-care centre right in the same building as their job.
In some organisations, it is almost an impossible dream for parents to see their children during working hours, but for employees of Unilever Ghana, it is a dream come true.
Employee well-being
The company has recently unveiled its newest addition to support its employee well-being and diversity programme, a Day-Care Centre (Crèche) at its premises in Tema.
The centre was jointly inaugurated by the Vice President, Unilever West Africa, Mr Luc-Olivier Marquet, Managing Director, Unilever Ghana, Ms Maidie Arkutu and the Human Resource Director, Unilever West Africa, Mr Stendert Krommendam.
The centre, with an array of facilities including a playroom, sleeping room, activities hall, kitchen and washroom, provides a venue where children can participate in developmentally appropriate cognitive, physical, social and emotional activities right at the workplace.
According to the Mother of the crèche, Ms Victoria Frimpong, a childcare specialist, the crèche opens from 7.a.m. to 7 p.m, from Monday to Friday and for children from two months to two years. She assured parents that their children would be properly taken care of and it would be a home away from home.
At the occasion, Ms Arkutu said, “Offering our employees easy-to-access child care eliminates a major distraction for working parents – and as a result builds great workforce that are focused, productive and committed for a long haul”.
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The company’s commitment
Mr Krommendam said, “Unilever is committed to helping its employees balance work and personal lives to enhance the quality of both sides of the equation”. “It is also part of our ambition to provide equal opportunities for women and men at the workplace through offering a wide range of facilities such as a Day Care.”
An employee commented that she was happy with the establishment of the crèche, explaining that before the facility was established, she always had difficulty in finding someone to take care of her child.
Last year, Unilever Ghana was awarded the prestigious Number One Employer of Choice (FMCG) and Top Employers Ghana 2015 certification awards.