New research shows extent of workplace ‘parenthood penalty’
Working parents feel overwhelmed by the demands of the modern workplace, reporting negative impacts on their health, family life and promotion prospects, according to The 2019 Modern Families Index.
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Key findings from the 2019 Working Families Index
Part-time penalty leaves mothers behind
Poor job design and presenteeism cultures sees parents work extra hours
Work takes toll on family life
Wellbeing of parents under threat from long hours culture
Call for employers and government to take more responsibility
Actions to change perceptions of part-time work
Jane van Zyl, chief executive of Working Families, said: “Parents who work part-time and flexibly add immense value to an organisation. We have found that among Working Families member companies – which generally have excellent policies and practice around flexible working – part-time and flexible workers perform significantly higher than the average employee."However, this year’s Index shows the sad reality that very often, part-timers aren’t able to progress at work because a higher value is placed on full time work – and there is simply more of it. Compounding this problem is the fact that parents are often saddled with jobs that require them to work well beyond their contracted hours. “Both the government and employers have the opportunity to break down the barriers to progression for part-time workers, and to ensure that parents aren’t under pressure to work extra hours," continued Ms van Zyl."We welcome the government’s consultation of its proposal to create a duty for employers to consider whether a job can be flexibly and to make that clear when advertising new roles. This will challenge the persistent notion that full-time working is the optimum pattern, changing how part-timers are viewed in the workplace. "At the same time, employers need to start properly considering job design – evaluating what tasks the role requires and how these tasks can be completed in the allocated hours – before determining what kind of flexible working is possible.”Working parents 'getting a raw deal'
James Tugendhat, managing director – international, at Bright Horizons, said: “The Index shows that parents trying to juggle work and family commitments are getting a raw deal."The UK’s part-time stigma and long-hours culture renders them exhausted, stressed and unable to climb the career ladder. This applies especially to mothers.“Encouraging pledges on flexible working have been made but the approach to date, however well intentioned, hasn’t lightened the load for working parents. Addressing this would have the potential to narrow the gender wage gap significantly. Companies’ fortunes are based on their ability to attract and retain the best and brightest employees."It’s time we wave goodbye to an office based 9-5 culture and embrace a more human-sized, agile approach.”Join Relocate Global and our Think Women community for an interactive morning at the International Women’s Day Lunch on Friday 8th March. Book tickets.
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