Flexible working for parents: how to ensure everyone benefits

8th December 2022 | 1pm to 2pm

The 2022 Working Families Index—produced by Working Families and Talking Talent—found that flexible working can support career progression for parents and carers in the UK. Parents in job shares and with remote or hybrid working arrangements were especially likely to report learning new skills on the job. And mothers who work flexibly reported significantly more career progression than those who do not work flexibly.

However, inequalities still persist around who sees the benefits of flexible working. Working part-time—a pattern overwhelmingly held by women—is still a major barrier to career progression. And analysis from the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership shows that men working flexibly are more likely to work overtime than women, which is positively associated with higher levels of career progression.

Join GIWL, Working Families and Talking Talent as we explore this complex picture of flexible working and gender equity. We will discuss how employers can promote family-friendly working practices to ensure that women and men have equal chances to advance their careers and have sufficient time to engage in family life.

Panel:

• Ursula Tavender, Joint CEO, Flexpo (Chair)
• Kudsia Batool, Head of Equalities and Strategy, TUC
• Heejung Chung, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Kent and author of The Flexibility Paradox: Why Flexible Working Leads to (Self-)Exploitation
• Simon Kelleher, Head of Policy and Influencing, Working Families
• Rebecca Hourston, Managing Director of Women’s Leadership Coaching Programmes, Talking Talent
• Caitlin Schmid, Research Fellow – GIWL

Book now!