On-Site Child Care Fuels Retention in a Biotech Company

Challenges

Access, Scalability, Worker Issues

Location

Maryland, North Carolina

Stakeholders

Businesses

Beneficiaries

Parents, Children

Overview

United Therapeutics (UT), a mid-sized biotech company, has made on-site childcare a cornerstone of its talent strategy, operating two centers in North Carolina and Maryland to support employees and attract top talent.

Key Impact Metrics

95%
of users say using the childcare center has helped reduce stress and enabled them to concentrate on the job
86%
of users say they worry less about their child(ren)’s safety and wellbeing

Problem

The problem that led United Therapeutics to create its on-site childcare centers was a nationwide childcare crisis that acted as a major barrier for working parents. Data from the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation shows that nearly 400,000 working parents in North Carolina are constrained by childcare needs, while the Council for a Strong America found that 51% of families in Maryland live in a "childcare desert." This crisis has a significant economic impact, with lost earnings, productivity, and revenue in Maryland alone estimated at $2.2 billion. The end of federal assistance further worsened the situation, with over three million children nationwide projected to lose access to care. Ultimately, the overwhelming majority of primary caregivers, 85%, reported that childcare difficulties negatively impact their work, highlighting the critical need for a solution like the one United Therapeutics provided.

Solution

The solution provided by United Therapeutics was the creation of two on-site, full-service childcare centers at its co-headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Durham, North Carolina. The company partnered with Bright Horizons to operate the facilities, which are subsidized to ensure affordability for employees. Vice President of Human Resources, Holly Hobson, stated that UT wanted “to minimize distractions for employees when they are at work while also providing the comfort of access to their children should they want to pop in during the day.” These centers are not only designed to provide high-quality care for children from infants to preschoolers but are also a reflection of the company’s commitment to sustainable and innovative design, featuring eco-friendly architecture. This solution is part of a broader, holistic benefits package that includes backup care, paid parental leave, and adoption assistance, all aimed at supporting employees' work-life balance and serving as a key tool for recruiting and retaining top talent.

Results

Beneficiary Impact
86% of users say they worry less about their child’s safety and well-being
Employee Impact
96% say the center impacts their desire to stay at United Therapeutics and go the extra mile for the company

Replication Tips

Choose expert operators: If running a center in-house sounds daunting, partner with a proven childcare provider. United Therapeutics engaged Bright Horizons to manage the center.
Leverage internal surveys to track impact: Gather data to make the case and fine-tune the program. UT tracks stress reduction and retention via employee surveys. Quantifying outcomes (e.g., “95% report less stress”) helps sustain leadership support and allows continuous improvement—like adjusting hours or capacity based on feedback.