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The UK's national charity for working parents and carers

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The Working Families Index is the most comprehensive study of the experience of work and family life in the UK. 

The large-scale social survey, the Working Families Index, returns to provide a snapshot of work and family life in modern Britain. The report, based on the responses of over 3,000 parents, reveals the everyday struggles to get the flexible working, parental leave and affordable, quality childcare they need, as well as the transformative effects and opportunities flexible and family-friendly working can bring.  

Key findings

Parental leave is lacking 

Parents aren’t taking the time they need with their baby. 4 in 10 mothers didn’t feel they took the time they need with their new baby, and fathers who felt they had enough parental leave took three and a half weeks more on average than those who felt they didn’t. Whilst some parents have no access to parental leave at all: 

When enhanced leave is available, parents take it. 

Finances holding families back 

Financial pressures are impacting families from the get-go, with money worries preventing parents taking the time they need with their baby, and draining resources or pushing families into debt to pay for childcare.  

Childcare challenges 

Gaping holes in the childcare system mean parents use less childcare than they need, and accessing childcare needed is putting parents under strain and preventing them from progressing in the workplace. 

Flex isn’t working for everyone 

Although flexible working is widespread, there remains unmet demand from those who do not work flexibly and a lack of transparency around flexible working options in job advertisements discourages parents from changing jobs. Boundaries between home and work life are eroding, and those who work shifts are faced with additional stress of short-notice.  

Over-working is commonplace 

With 7 in 10 mothers and 8 in 10 fathers reporting working additional hours, they appear to be an essential way of coping with workload or the cost of living.  

Flex has its benefits  

When given the opportunity to work in a flexible and family-friendly way, employers benefit from increased loyalty.  


Previous Reports