Months into the pandemic, many parents across the country are struggling to balance childcare with their day-to-day work responsibilities. Twitter, headquartered in San Francisco, has recently introduced new programming to help its employees curb the stress of childcare while working from home.
The company announced an eight-week virtual childcare program titled “Camp Twitter.” The program offers a variety of live and on-demand classes to keep children occupied during the summer months.
“With many schools and summer camps being closed due to the pandemic, we wanted to step in and provide a fun, educational and meaningful alternative that is accessible to all of our parents around the world,” Tracy Hawkins, vice president of real estate, workplace and remote experience at Twitter, said in an interview with Human Resource Executive.
According to a recent study, 43 percent of parents with children ages one to five say they are responsible for at least four hours of childcare a day. Since stay-at-home orders and school closures took effect in March, 52 percent of parents feel like they do not have sufficient time for themselves.
“We recognize the added pressure and responsibility parents have taken on at home during this unprecedented time, balancing childcare while performing their day jobs,” Hawkins continued.
The new microsite will feature classes for employees and their children that focus on an array of topics from cooking and yoga to music and art. Additional resources for parents will be accessible at any point throughout the program.
Parents can also take part in a series of live-streamed webinars led by professional psychologists and health experts, provided by two of Twitter’s existing employee wellness providers, Happify and Modern Health. The webinars are designed to provide parents with additional tools to help guide children along on their e-learning journeys.
“The well-being of our Tweeps is ultimately what drives everything at Twitter. When our employees take care of themselves and keep balance in their lives, they are more productive, less likely to burnout and leave the company, and they are proud of where they work,” the company said in an email to Built In.
