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1 in 2 parents use annual leave to care for children over holidays, amid rising childcare costs
Working parents say improved access to local workspaces would significantly reduce the stress of summer holidays, according to new research.
A study of over 1,000 working parents by International Workplace Group, the world’s leading supplier of hybrid working solutions, found that 61% said school holidays are stressful due to juggling childcare and work commitments*, while 63% have their working life impacted by family routine during the holidays.
This, in turn, is affecting workplace productivity over the summer, with 42% of parents saying they reduce their working hours, while half (49%) resort to using their annual leave to take care of their children.
Over three quarters of parents (78%) say that they would use local workspaces to alleviate stress if employers were to provide better access to them, giving greater choice over when and where they work. This is particularly pertinent to younger parents, with 92% of those aged 35 or under saying they would use a local workspace if they could.
Parents turn to annual leave to reduce childcare costs
The substantial costs associated with childcare means that half of parents (49%) opt to use their annual leave to care for their children during holidays. Moreover, over one in 10 (12%) parents exhaust all their annual leave for childcare, and one in 20 (6%) have to take unpaid leave to manage their responsibilities.
The stress of the summer holidays has been shown to have a negative impact on families, with almost a quarter of parents (23%) reporting family arguments over childcare and one in five (19%) feeling like their child resented them due to working during the holidays.
Additionally, the burden of holiday childcare stress was disproportionately felt by mothers, with mums (27%) nearly twice as likely to feel like their children resented them due to the pressures of balancing work and home, in comparison with fathers (14%).
However, parents say hybrid work is working
The exponential growth of hybrid working in recent years has changed how businesses operate, with another recent International Workplace Group study showing that three quarters (74%) of UK CEOs say that asking employees to work from a central office full time is not a business priority.
Another study by International Workplace Group this year also found that hybrid working has been instrumental in facilitating a better balance for women between their work responsibilities and family commitments, with 89% reporting an improvement in this due to flexible working****.
This advocacy from business leaders is starting to make a difference to their employees; when compared to the same data captured in summer 2023, it is clear that hybrid working is continuing to make a difference to parents’ experiences. There has been an 8% decrease in family arguments over childcare, and, despite the numbers still being high, a 6% drop in parents having to use annual leave to cater for childcare responsibilities.
Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group, said: “The findings from this latest study underscore the significant challenges that school holidays can bring to working parents, with many feeling the strain of balancing childcare and work. Our research shows that parents are saying that hybrid working can alleviate much of this pressure, and we're seeing a strong demand for local workspaces that can provide parents with the flexibility and convenience they need during the longer summer break.”
Fatima Konig, Chief Commercial Officer “Hybrid working not only supports the wellbeing of families, but also contributes to the overall mental health and job satisfaction of employees. By accommodating the needs of working parents through better access to a range of places to work, particularly local workspaces during these peak times, employers can foster a more supportive and productive work environment.”
*Research among 1,032 participants in July 2024 by Mortar Research. The survey polled office workers in the UK, who live with their children. The sample was nationally representative of region and gender. Mortar Research is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.
** Research among 500 CEO participants in June 2024 by Censuswide. Censuswide is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.
***Research among 1,003 participants in May 2024 by Mortar Research. The survey polled office workers in the UK, who now work in a hybrid style and live with their children. The sample was nationally representative of region and gender. Mortar Research is Market Research Society (MRS) accredited and the research adhered to MRS guidelines.