Provide Cafeteria-Style Benefits

Issue
A key way to control backlash against family-responsive policies is to provide cafeteria-style packaging of existing benefits, in which employees design their own benefits packages from a list of options. This plan recognizes that employees have a range of caregiving responsibilities—some faculty will need assistance with child care while others may have elder care duties. Academics without children may feel that their own struggles with balancing their work life are being ignored if the emphasis of existing benefit policies solely addresses the needs of faculty with children.

Flexible Benefits Program
At the University of Delaware, for example, full-time and permanent part-time employees are allowed to choose from a cafeteria-style benefit program to suit their personal circumstances.[1]
 
Custom Choices
The University of Idaho's CustomChoices for a healthy U and Idaho Program offers a similar cafeteria-style benefit program and is available to employees who hold a board-appointed position that is expected to last at least five months and is at least one-half time. The University also makes available extensive online and in-person resources to help employees make educated choices about their benefits packages.[2]