At the same time, employers reap substantial benefits from these state-funded health and child care programs when they refuse to give workers a fair work week. By providing quality, affordable health care and child care, these state-funded programs help more low-wage workers enter and remain in the workforce, making it easier for employers to recruit and retain a qualified, productive workforce. By increasing access to health care and child care, these programs enable the available workforce to be utilized to the fullest extent possible by reducing absenteeism, increasing employee productivity, and boosting workforce morale. Because these public health and child care programs increase the supply and stability of the low-wage workforce in Connecticut, companies that employ larger low-wage workforces benefit disproportionately from the existence of these programs.