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Working parents seek practical support from employers to balance family life

Provision Policy & Politics Families
Help with childcare, eldercare and ongoing support for families have been highlighted as key areas for employee retention in a new report by nursery and back-up care provider, Bright Horizons.
The survey found a growing trend among employers to recognise the need to support their employees with flexible working PHOTO Adobe Stock
The survey found a growing trend among employers to recognise the need to support their employees with flexible working PHOTO Adobe Stock

The annual Modern Families Index report, which surveyed 3,000 UK working parents, found that while more employees feel that their organisation cares about their work and home balance, more support ‘than ever’ is needed to help them stay in their jobs.

Sixty-seven per cent of working parents now believe career progression is possible when flexible working is available, up from 56 per cent in the 2022 survey.

Childcare was cited as the ‘key driver’ of this need for flexibility for almost half – 47 per cent - of parents.

But with four in ten looking for alternative employment, rising to seven in 10 for more senior roles, researchers say that employees are looking for ‘real hands-on support’ that helps with childcare, the cost of living and maintaining a good balance with work and family life.

Others with a raised risk of seeking new employment include those expecting a new child (41 per cent) and parents of children aged six- to 10 (39 per cent).

Denise Priest, executive director Work+Family Solutions at Bright Horizons, said, ‘Family visibility in the world of work is here to stay. Coupled with an intense focus on wellbeing, there are growing expectations of support from family-friendly employers.

‘More employees feel their organisation cares about their work and home balance. This reflects the trend of employers recognising the need to support families and enabling employees to have confidence they can still progress while working flexibly.’

She added, ‘The flight risk in this year’s survey remains at nearly 4 in 10 (38 per cent) likely to seek new employment in 2023. As employees find family challenges easier to raise in the workplace, employers now have to work harder to differentiate their Employee Value Proposition.’

Here are the other emerging trends highlighted in the Modern Families Index 2023:

  • Help with the cost of living is the top reason for staying in a role (41 per cent)
  • Over three quarters of working parents (76 per cent) have had to take a day or more off work unexpectedly to meet childcare requirements
  • Dads are seeking support and recognition for their increased hands-on parenting
  • 90 percent believe the Government should provide more support, but employers are also expected to provide better and more family-friendly benefits