Family-Friendly Spaces Program: 10 Years of Supporting Workers, Children, and Communities

The Family-Friendly Spaces (FFS) program was created in 2016 to address critical social and workplace challenges. Many supply chain workers were leaving their jobs during the summer holidays to return to their hometowns to care for their children. This situation was not only placing a huge strain on families, but was also contributing to higher worker turnover and lower female participation in the workforce.
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The Family-Friendly Spaces program was developed by the Ethical Supply Chain Program to relieve these pressures – providing safe, nurturing spaces for children during the summer while supporting workers to balance family life with stable employment.

Over the past decade, the program has reached more than 10,000 parent workers and just under 9,700 children across 95 factories and communities, including six industrial parks.

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The impact is clear. 97% of factory managers report improved worker satisfaction, 87% see stronger recruitment, and 81% note reduced turnover. For workers, 93% say FFS is a reason to stay in their jobs, with many reporting peace of mind knowing their children are cared for and greater closeness with their families.

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Children are also thriving in Family-Friendly Spaces environments. Parents say their children are more active, confident, and expressive, with over 70% reporting gains in self-confidence, thoughtfulness, and communication.

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As the program marks its 10th anniversary, it continues to demonstrate how investing in families not only strengthens communities but also builds a more resilient and inclusive workforce.

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A full impact report will be made available soon. For information on how you can amplify the impact, contact us here.

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