Working Parents are using their Annual Leave to Address Childcare Arrangements

What’s going on:     

A recent poll by IWG surveyed over 1,000 working parents about the difficulties they encounter when trying to manage childcare during the school summer holidays, according to Workplace Insight. The data shows that 62% of these parents find coordinating childcare during this period to be notably stressful. As a result, a reported 55% of parents surveyed use their annual leave for childcare purposes. Additionally, 12% exhaust their entire yearly leave to address this challenge.  

The study highlights working parents who are adjusting their work schedules to better cater to childcare needs — leading to some feeling that their work performance might be compromised. A notable solution proposed by parents is more flexible working arrangements, allowing them to work closer to home and thus reducing the stress associated with balancing work and childcare. The survey shows that 43% of parents work reduced hours, 31% start their day early, and 29% extend their workday into the late evening.  

Why it matters:  

The survey uncovers a clear struggle for working parents in the workforce during summer vacations, as many are forced to compromise either their work, personal time, or both. This reveals a deeper societal and workplace issue where the current infrastructure isn’t adequately supporting parents in balancing their professional and personal roles.  

The demand for flexible work arrangements is evident, with 38% viewing it as the primary solution. Workplace Insight reports that this percentage rises to 49% among parents with kids under five years old. The appeal of such work arrangements is even more pronounced among younger parents aged 25-34, with 67% endorsing flexible work arrangements, according to the report.  

How it’ll impact the future:    

Flexible work arrangements may become a more significant focus for employers wanting to attract and retain talent, particularly among employees with younger families. Companies, if they haven’t already addressed this issue, might work to come up with solutions for more flexible work opportunities, allowing parents to spend less time commuting and more time closer to their homes.  

This issue could contribute to decentralized workspaces, which may one day enable employees to select work locations that are convenient for them. If employers don’t adapt to these trends, they may risk a drop in productivity, increased employee turnover, and reduced job satisfaction among their workforces. 

This could contribute to a stronger push for flexible working arrangements in companies, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance. Employers may need to invest in more decentralized workspaces or develop partnerships with flexible workspace providers. As the demand for such arrangements grows, it could redefine the typical 9-5 work structure, making hybrid work models the norm.