Family friendly policies crucial

EMPLOYERS who do not implement family-friendly policies will pay a heavy price as the majority of skilled adults in the coming years are likely to be women, a leading economist has warned.

As the population ages, John Fitzgerald of the Economic and Social Research Institute said it was necessary for the State to supplement the cost of childcare to make working life more attractive to parents.

However, he warned businesses would also be wise to limit the financial burden currently borne by parents who took time off to mind their children.