Dr. Bronner’s Childcare Stipend: Retaining Factory Workers with Flexibility

Dr. Bronner’s, an organic soap manufacturer in California, supports its 300-person workforce with a generous childcare stipend—covering 50% of childcare costs up to $7,500 per family per year.

Dr. Bronner’s operates on a three-shift schedule, with its largest shift running from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. This early start once meant that some employees’ children had to get ready for school on their own, with parents checking in remotely. In one instance, a mother left her shift in distress when her child didn’t respond to calls or texts—fortunately, everything was fine. Stories like these prompted Dr. Bronner’s to find a solution to its employees' childcare concerns. 

A first step Dr. Bronner took in solving this challenge was to $5,000 per family per year to subsidize up to 50% of childcare costs. This approach suited employees for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought additional stressors to working parents. In 2020, Dr. Bronner’s expanded its childcare assistance program in three key ways: increasing financial assistance, expanding its network of childcare providers, and procuring a vendor to help with administration. Dr. Bronner also partnered with TOOTRiS, outsourcing its childcare administration. Through the TOOTRiS platform, employees can connect with care providers, manage payments, and get assistance from a dedicated administrator who facilitates access, tracks stipend eligibility, and more.

• Iterate via feedback: Dr. Bronner’s expanded its benefits after employee surveys flagged unmet needs (e.g., higher costs, odd hours). Survey your employees about childcare challenges, and be willing to increase amounts or adjust rules.