Speaking on Business: Utah Community Builders

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. Child care issues result in an estimated $1.36 billion dollar loss annually for Utah’s economy. Which is why, the Salt Lake Chamber, and community partners developed a new resource called the Family-Friendly Workplaces: A Guide for Utah Business Leaders. Utah Community Builders Executive Director Kabi Catalano shares more. KABI CATALANO: We believe the private sector can positively impact Utah's workforce by addressing the intersectionality of child care, employee wellness, employee retention and upward mobility. Child care is one of the biggest costs challenging families. Child care providers and business owners also feel a burden to maintain access to child care due to greater difficulty in finding staff, preventing employee turnover, and paying workers enough to help them meet financial demands. Leaving fewer options for families means higher economic costs for communities across Utah. Ultimately, it is up to businesses to think creatively about ways to build the child care infrastructure that we need to help working parents keep working for their families. Our new guide helps businesses understand the needs of working parents, the child care landscape in their communities and available resources to create a strong and supported workplace culture. DEREK MILLER: Utah’s working parents need business leaders who are willing to elevate corporate culture, visit the Salt Lake Chamber website. I’m Derek Miller with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: May 26