Top 5 strategies to support working parents
Jun 20, 2023
In a competitive talent market, it's vital for employers to implement innovative solutions that support working parents, to attract and retain top talent, improve employee engagement, and reduce costs. Consider putting an employee experience strategy into action to support your parent and caregiver employees.
Working parents are often stretched thin, balancing career demands with family responsibilities. They deal with the challenges of securing quality childcare, maintaining work-life balance, and managing the unpredictable needs of their children, all while pursuing professional growth.
Many working parents find themselves ill-equipped to answer that important question: “what is work and life balance for me?” They are constantly trying to balance the demanding needs of work, family, and personal time, often feeling there aren't enough hours in the day to fully commit to each aspect. Despite their best efforts, this often leads to employee burn out including intense stress and guilt over not being able to devote as much attention as they’d like to everything that is important to them.
Parents in the workplace face stressors such as handling child-related emergencies that interfere with work, meeting professional expectations while providing attentive care at home, coping with the guilt of missing family moments because of work commitments, and finding quiet time for concentration in a busy household.
Employee resource groups (ERGs) offer a platform for working parents to find support and share strategies for balancing work and family life. These groups promote inclusivity and create a sense of community, enabling parents to feel understood and supported within the company culture.
This group provides a supportive community where working parents can share experiences, challenges, and best practices for managing the competing demands of work and family life. This invaluable support network also provides practical tips and emotional encouragement, helping parents navigate the complexities of parenting with confidence and camaraderie.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster a sense of community by bringing together people with shared interests or backgrounds, for example fathers with multiples, creating spaces where members can support and learn from one another. These groups center around inclusivity and connection, allowing employees to feel more engaged and understood within the broader company culture.
Helping working parents achieve work-life balance is crucial as it directly impacts their mental and physical well-being, making them happier and more productive both at work and at home. Employers benefit too, as satisfied workers are more loyal and engaged, ultimately enhancing the overall company performance and reducing turnover.
Here’s how to improve work life balance for employees:
Providing childcare support and resources directly contributes to the well-being of working parents; it alleviates stress, anxiety, and financial pressure associated with securing quality childcare. This support enables parents to be more present and focused at work, and enriches the quality of their family life, leading to a healthier work-life balance and overall satisfaction.
Offering on-site or subsidized childcare options would be a game-changer for working parents. A study of working families by Bright Horizons reported that 42 percent of employees are actively looking for alternative work so they can better navigate the competing demands of their careers and caring duties.
Childcare assistance programs can also lift a heavy weight from the shoulders of working parents by providing financial relief and simplifying the complex task of securing reliable childcare. This support means parents can focus on their professional responsibilities with one less worry, knowing their children's care is taken care of.
Ensuring inclusiveness in company policies makes certain that the unique needs of all working parents,’ not just women, are acknowledged and met. It's about creating a workplace that values and supports the diverse family dynamics of its team members and promoting equity.
Organizations can make parental leave accessible and inclusive by ensuring policies are straightforward and cater to all types of families, including adoptive, same-sex, and single parents. It's crucial to foster an environment where every employee feels supported in their journey into parenthood, with flexible options to suit their unique needs.
Organizations can support all family types by crafting flexible policies that recognize and adapt to the diverse structures of modern families, from single parents to blended and same-sex households. It's about creating an inclusive environment where every family feels valued and supported.
Offering flexible work arrangements is key in supporting working parents, allowing them to balance their professional and family responsibilities effectively. It's a win-win strategy that can boost job satisfaction and productivity by accommodating the varying demands of their busy lives.
A few examples of flexible work arrangements include:
Flexible work arrangements allow working parents to tailor their schedules to fit family duties, significantly reducing stress from juggling responsibilities. This flexibility of work time boosts focus and efficiency during working hours, enhancing overall productivity.
Here are a few practical tips employers can put into action to help working parents thrive at work and home:
Here are resources employers can provide employees, especially working parents, so they can thrive at work and home:
Supporting working parents in the workplace not only helps them manage their dual roles more effectively but also fosters a thriving culture within the organization. When parents feel supported, they are more engaged, productive, and loyal, contributing to a positive and inclusive workplace atmosphere. Contact Circles to put workplace experience programs into place that will help working parents and create a compassionate, thriving culture.
