SPRINGDALE, ARK. – As part of its increasing efforts toward becoming an employer of choice and ensuring employee satisfaction, Tyson Foods Inc. announced it will offer childcare programs at two of its processing facilities. The company plans to build a $3.5 million on-site childcare and learning center at its new Humboldt, Tenn., poultry complex, which is currently under construction. In addition, the company will offer a program to work with local childcare providers near its Amarillo, Texas, beef processing plant to offer free childcare to its second-shift workers.
“For nearly a century, ‘care’ has been at the heart of Tyson culture,” said John Tyson, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer of Tyson. “These childcare pilots reflect that culture as well as our goal of becoming the most sought-after place to work.”
The Humboldt facility, known as Tyson Tykes, will have the capability to accommodate as many as 100 children, up to five-years old, and will employ 18 childcare workers, employed and operated by Kindercare. The cost for the service will be subsidized by Tyson, the company said, and will be operating by 2023.
To accommodate childcare for workers at the Amarillo plant, Tyson recently donated about $400,000 to renovate facilities at the Wesley Community Center and Maverick Boys and Girls Club of Amarillo, each of which will accommodate up to 40 children of Tyson workers. The company said the funds also will go toward the cost of transportation, security, commercial refrigerators, cots and tutoring. Tyson’s total investment in the program, including tuition, on behalf of its workers will total about $500,000.
Mr. Tyson added that the company is offering multiple incentives to improve recruitment and retention of workers.
“Over the past few months, as part of our efforts to recruit and retain front-line team members, we’ve also piloted more flexible work hours, raised wages and benefits, provided $50 million in year-end bonuses and in January, will start providing paid sick leave,” he said.
