The Working Families Index is the most comprehensive study of the experience of work and family life in the UK.
Based on a survey of 2,806 parents and carers in late 2021, it examines finances, working arrangements, managing and sharing childcare, and personal wellbeing and tracks their development over time.
You can read the full study HERE, or read through some of the key findings we have pulled from the study below.
Most parents want flexibility and the pandemic proved that ‘flex’ is possible in many more roles than employers had ever considered before. This year’s Index sees a significant shift overall towards flexible working. However, access to flexibility continues to be tied to income and particular types of industry and job role.
70% of respondents reported working flexibly compared with 55% in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, the growth in flexible working was largely driven by home and hybrid working. Over a third of respondents reported hybrid or homebased arrangements compared with 22% pre-pandemic. Hybrid workers were more likely to be male / higher earners / London based.
More dads work part-time post-pandemic but mums still work more part-time – the least flexible ‘flex’ . 11% of dads worked part-time hours compared with 4% in 2019. But 37% mothers versus 11% fathers worked part-time in our survey. Overall, people working reduced or part-time hours were more likely to be women, single parents, younger, and earning under £25k per annum.
Flexible working can be a good indicator of a supportive culture and employers reap the benefits of loyalty from flexible workers. But the standard practice of parents working beyond their contracted hours continues to be commonplace and a desire to keep the flexibility they have drives many parents’ decisions to stay in their current roles.
How can we help?
If you are struggling to find a good work life balance in your current company then get in touch and we will endeavour to find a role that is a perfect fit for you getus@jamesgrayrecruitment.com