This study, which focused on effects of child care on the workplace, addressed several questions: (1) What kinds of child care arrangements do employed parents make, and why do they make them? (2) Are these parents having difficulty finding child care? (3) Does their ability to manage child care affect their absenteeism and stress? (4) What roles do occupation and personnel policies play in this issue? The study was based on a May 1983 survey of a workforce of 20,000 from 33 companies and agencies chosen to represent a broad cross section of industries, occupations, and income levels in the Portland, Oregon, area. Participants included large and small manufacturing concerns, hospitals, service industries, and retail concerns, as well as several public agencies. Of the 8,121 employees who responded to the survey, 54 percent were women, 44 percent had children under the age of 18, and 30 percent had children under the age of 12. Findings, which mainly concerned families with children under 12, indicated that child care is hard to find and difficult to manage. Family structure and ability to arrange child care have an impact on the workplace in the form of absenteeism and stress. Company policies and work requirements also affect families, and employee stress level and ability to be at work. General recommendations are offered to employers. (RH)