We're rethinking family-friendly jobs.Â
Using only the most robust data and evidence we work with parents, employers and industries to overcome the challenges they face.
We think about family-friendly jobs 24/7, so you don't have to.
Here are some of the questions people have asked us.
How has the care burden changed?
The 2021 census for the UK shows more people are caring than ever before.  The 2 key drivers of this trend are an ageing population and a failing care system; neither of which parents or employers can solve but the implications for them can be severe.Â
People are starting their family later than they did 50 years ago and parents increasingly find themselves caring for young children at the same time as they are caring for elderly relatives, just as their career reaches a critical stage.
What’s changed for working mothers?
More mothers than ever before are going out to work. In 2021, nearly 75% of mothers with dependent children were working. In addition, since 2020 – in households where both adults are working, it has been more common for both parents to be working full time rather than one full time and one part time.
But as the time parents have at home has decreased, so has the availability of childcare, creating a systemic failure that parents cannot solve by simply trying harder or doing more.
What’s the difference between presenteeism and the visibility gap?
Presenteeism occurs when the value of an individual in a firm is influenced by the amount of time they spend at work. The fundamental flaw in this approach is that time spent at work does not necessarily equate to value delivered.
The visibility gap occurs when an individual is excluded from important meetings and events that occur at times they do not work, making it harder for their contribution to be seen and valued.
Does equity matter?
Equity is achieved when decisions are fair and impartial. Over 90% of parents agree that access to flexible work should be equitable. But fewer than 50% of employees report that requests for flexible work are treated equally in their organisation.
In designing flexible work policies, it's essential that the enabling processes are in place, supported by effective training for managers and decisions makers in the interpretation and application of policy.
Is there a question we can help with?