Big employers recognise need for family friendly working

 

30 May 2002

 

MORIsurvey of Britain's big employers published by Daycare Trust and BUPA Children@work for start of thefirst National Childcare Month.

With a record number of parents in the workplace,Britain's big employers recognise the need to help their staff who havedependent children. A MORI survey published today (Thursday 30 May 2002) byDaycare Trust and BUPA Children@work at the start of the first NationalChildcare Month in June shows that big employers are prepared to listen totheir staff and to introduce more flexible hours and working practices.

 

Nearly nine out of ten big employers think family friendlyemployment policies will become more important to employers in the next fiveyears.

 

This trend reflects the growing number of parents whowork. Almost six out of ten mothers with children aged under five are now atwork, up 20 percent in the last ten years. On average, the big employers saidalmost half of their staff are parents with dependent children.

Childcare problems faced by working parents are alsocausing problems for big employers according to the new survey:

        70 percent say childcare problems mean staff are unable towork extra or late hours when needed;

        66 percent cite absenteeism due to childcare problems;

        55 percent late attendance or leaving work early;

        44 percent difficulties recruiting and retaining the staffthey need;

        42 percent tiredness, irritability or stress;

        40 percent say childcare problems lead to female staff notreturning to work after maternity leave.

 

But while the vast majority of big employers surveyedrecognise the growing importance of family friendly employment policies, 73percent say that the main barrier to introducing or expanding childcare supportfor staff is the cost.

 

91 percent of big employers agree that the Governmentshould help employers to implement family friendly policies. 79 percent sayGovernment should encourage employers to develop childcare support by fundingsuch as further tax incentives. Nearly a third would like Government to provideadvice and guidance; 26 percent want legislation to make provision mandatoryand 18 percent think rewards such as Investors in People would encourageemployers to do more.

42 percent of big employers - who say they aren't veryfamily friendly - say more part-time and flexitime working would make theirorganisation more family friendly. Almost a quarter said more or betterworkplace nurseries are key.

 

The survey shows that employers clearly see flexibleworking arrangements as easier to implement than direct help with childcare.Currently 81 percent of big employers have part-time or flexible working; 76percent job sharing and 52 percent home-working. In the future 71 percent planto extend part-time and flexible working; 74 percent job sharing and 45 percenthome-working.

 

Providing help and advice to working parents on findingchildcare is the most common childcare support provided by big employers. 58percent currently offer childcare information services and 60 percent plan tointroduce or expand these services.

 

Providing support with childcare has significant benefitsfor employers according to the survey. Over half (52 percent) of big employerssay it would ensure that they do not lose good staff due to childcare problems;40 percent say it would help recruit new staff and 30 percent say it would begood for staff morale.

 

Other key findings in the MORI survey include:

        92 percent of big employers agree that there is arecognised business case for companies to introduce childcare and familyfriendly policies

        74 percent agree employers should offer support withchildcare for employees with dependent children

 

Stephen Burke, Director of Daycare Trust, said:"Employers could be much more flexible to support staff with children andhelp them balance their home and work responsibilities. There is a clear andrecognised business case for action on childcare and family friendly working byemployers. Big employers are ahead of the game but still face significantbarriers to doing more. If employers are to attract and retain the best staff,they need more encouragement. Parents, children and the wider economy would allbenefit."

 

Carole Edmond, Head of BUPA Childcare, said: "We arepleased to see that employers are listening to the childcare needs of theirstaff and that they are increasingly prepared to introduce more flexible hours,working practices and tangible support for a better work/life balance. Thesechanges now will help to promote wider family friendly employment policies toenable the business community to attract and retain high calibre staff."