A Third of Working Parents Forced to Cut Hours Due to Childcare Struggles, as Work and Home Boundaries Blur
Published: 7 Oct 2024
A new survey commissioned by Working Families for National Work Life Week (7-11 October) has found that one in three working parents have had to reduce their working hours due to difficulties accessing affordable and reliable childcare. The poll, conducted with 3,000 working parents of children aged up to 11, revealed the challenges families face as they juggle work and childcare responsibilities.
According to the study, 31% of parents have requested flexible working arrangements to manage these responsibilities, while nearly a quarter (24%) rely on their partners or family members, who in turn have had to cut their own paid work hours or even leave their jobs entirely. For some, these challenges have limited career progression, with 16% of parents avoiding applying for new roles altogether because of childcare issues.
Despite these efforts, nearly half (46%) of parents say they struggle to maintain clear boundaries between their jobs and home life, underscoring the pressure on families.
Jane van Zyl, CEO commented on the findings:
Accessing affordable and reliable childcare has become a significant challenge for many families. A lot of parents are struggling to balance work and family life due to limited availability, rising costs, and long waiting lists. It’s not just an inconvenience—it’s a barrier that impacts career opportunities, financial stability, and overall well-being.
Flexible working campaigner and ambassador for Working Families, Anna Whitehouse – also known as Mother Pukka – said:
This is the reality for so many parents – we’re stuck in a cycle where childcare is either unaffordable or unavailable, forcing families to make impossible choices.
Parents are cutting back their hours or missing out on job opportunities just to get by day-to-day. The system, as it stands, doesn’t work.
If we truly want to support families, we need workplaces that make it possible for parents to manage the balancing act of work and childcare, without having to sacrifice their own wellbeing.
National Work Life Week
National Work Life Week is an opportunity for both employers and employees to focus on well-being at work and work-life balance. #WorkLifeWeek