Construction workers face long hours, physically demanding jobs, and unpredictable schedules—making family planning a real challenge. This guide explores how Ontario construction companies can support their workers (and their spouses) with fertility benefits, parental leave, daycare support, and adoption assistance. Learn how platforms like Sprout are changing the game with inclusive, family-building benefits.

Table of Contents

• Why Family Planning Benefits Matter in Construction
• Challenges Construction Workers and Their Families Face
• Sprout: A Family-Building Solution for Ontario Workers
• 5 Ways Employers Can Support Workers and Their Families
• The Business Case for Offering Family-Focused Benefits
• Final Thoughts: Why It’s Time for Construction Companies to Step Up

Why Family Planning Benefits Matter in Construction

The construction industry is one of the largest sectors in Ontario, supporting over 235,000 jobs and generating $17 billion in wages and benefits in the GTA alone. (BILD)

Despite these impressive numbers, many construction workers lack access to family-building benefits—making it harder for them to start or grow their families. Traditional benefits often overlook fertility support, adoption resources, daycare assistance, and flexible parental leave.

What’s the Impact?

Financial stress – Fertility treatments can cost upwards of $20,000 per cycle, and daycare costs in Ontario average $1,500 per month per child.

Work-life balance struggles – Long hours and unpredictable shifts make it hard for workers (and their spouses) to manage childcare and medical appointments.

High turnover – Without adequate support, skilled workers leave for companies that offer more family-friendly benefits.

Employers who invest in comprehensive family-building benefits can create a more loyal, engaged, and productive workforce—all while attracting top talent in a competitive job market.

Challenges Construction Workers and Their Families Face

Unlike traditional office jobs, construction workers deal with:

🚧 Physically demanding labor – Work-related injuries or fatigue can delay family planning efforts.
🚧 Inconsistent work schedules – Rotating shifts and job site relocations make it tough to coordinate fertility treatments, daycare, and parental leave.
🚧 Limited access to traditional benefits – Many workers (especially contractors and tradespeople) don’t have employer-sponsored coverage for IVF, adoption, or parental leave top-ups.

And let’s not forget the spouses of construction workers. Many stay-at-home partners or those working irregular hours also struggle with family planning challenges, making employer-provided support critical.

Sprout: A Family-Building Solution for Ontario Workers

One of the best ways construction companies can support their workers is by offering family-building benefits through Sprout—a Canadian platform designed to help employees with fertility, adoption, and parental leave support.

What Sprout Offers:

✅ Fertility Support – Coverage for fertility treatments, genetic testing, egg/sperm freezing, and IVF.
✅ Adoption & Surrogacy Assistance – Guidance through matching, legal paperwork, and financial planning.
✅ Daycare & Parenting Resources – Help finding affordable daycare, early childhood support, and mental health counseling.
✅ Parental Leave Coaching – Advice for employees (and their spouses) to navigate maternity/paternity leave smoothly.

Companies that integrate Sprout’s solutions into their benefits packages set themselves apart in the construction industry—providing real, tangible support for workers and their families. (Learn more here)

5 Ways Employers Can Support Workers and Their Families

Here are five actionable ways Ontario construction companies can improve family-focused benefits for workers and their spouses:

1. Offer Fertility and Family Planning Benefits

• Provide financial assistance for fertility treatments (IVF, IUI, egg freezing, genetic testing).
• Cover counseling services for couples going through infertility challenges.

2. Subsidize Childcare Costs

• Offer monthly daycare subsidies to offset high costs.
• Partner with local childcare centers for discounted rates for employees.

3. Improve Parental Leave Options

• Implement parental leave top-ups, supplementing Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
• Allow for flexible return-to-work options (gradual return, part-time transitions).

4. Support Adoption & Surrogacy

• Cover legal and agency fees for adoption and surrogacy.
• Offer paid leave for adoptive and non-birth parents.

5. Provide Flexible Scheduling for Family Commitments

• Offer flexible shifts for employees needing time for medical appointments or childcare.
• Allow remote work for office staff to accommodate family needs.

The Business Case for Offering Family-Focused Benefits

Beyond the ethical and emotional reasons, investing in family-building benefits makes financial sense for construction companies.

Key Business Benefits:

✔ Attract & Retain Top Talent – 60% of workers consider family-friendly benefits a major factor in job decisions. (Benefits Canada)
✔ Reduce Absenteeism & Improve Productivity – Employees with better work-life balance take fewer sick days and perform better.
✔ Enhance Employee Loyalty & Engagement – Workers stay longer at companies that support their life goals.

Bottom Line: A happy, supported workforce is a productive one—and family-friendly policies create a competitive advantage in hiring skilled tradespeople.

Final Thoughts: Why It’s Time for Construction Companies to Step Up

Ontario’s construction industry has the opportunity to lead the way in family-friendly workplace policies. Beyond paycheques, offering fertility benefits, parental leave support, daycare assistance, and flexible scheduling helps workers build the families they dream of—without sacrificing career stability.

Employers who integrate family-building benefits into their group benefits plan will attract, retain, and support the best talent in the industry.

Interested in learning more?

Check out Sprout to see how your company can offer real, impactful family support today.