School’s out for summer! How will you support your working parents?

With the school summer holidays underway, it’s a time when working parents, guardians and any care givers start to juggle responsibilities!

Providing support, especially at this time, can ensure you retain your best employees. We know that employees are looking for more than pay and benefits from employers, and flexibility along with work-life balance is a priority for most UK employees and candidates. Wellbeing initiatives are also key – including those focused on mental health.

Supporting employees juggling home and work commitments is crucial for maintaining a balanced and productive workforce. Here are some ideas that could help.

Flexibility

Whether it is flexible hours, days, remote or hybrid work, giving employees the ability to adjust their working hours around their home life is a powerful way of supporting employees balance their home and work commitments. Flexibility, whether this is on a temporary or permanent basis, will allow employees to manage their time effectively while ensuring they meet the requirements of their role.

For organisations that have rotas in place, consider if shifts can be published with lots of notice to give employees time to plan childcare for their working days.

Work-life balance

No matter how much your employees may enjoy their job, there are things that are far more important to them. Their physical and mental health, spending quality time with loved ones, or even just the ability to switch off and focus on themselves.

Managers play an important role in workplace culture. Role modelling ways to prioritise work-life balance will send a clear message to team members that it’s okay to switch off. For example, avoiding sending emails outside of working hours, make it the norm to take a lunch break and finish work on time, encourage employees to take annual leave and also fully disconnect during this time. This will all help employees that have caring responsibilities.

Promote your wellbeing initiatives

This could be an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or access to mental health support, don’t forget to promote what you have in place. The school summer holidays can be an expensive and stressful time. Many EAP’s will give access to support for health, finances, personal or work life.

Family friendly policies

Signpost employees to your family friendly policies that will encompass the minimums set out in legislation, such as:  

• Unpaid Parental Leave
• Unpaid Carers leave
• Right to request flexible working – which is a day one right
• Unpaid time off for family and dependants – for emergency situations only

While there are procedures to follow for employees and employers and approval processes to adhere to, options such as Unpaid Parental Leave can help eligible employees take time to look after their child’s welfare.

Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill will bring extended family leave rights. We will find out more details as consultation on the changes continues and further amendments are made. Initial timescales for implementation are viewable here. Also keep an eye on our HR Compliance Kit to stay informed on key updates as they’re announced. It will be helpful for employers to be proactive and supportive ahead of further legislation.

Wrapping up

In summary, listen to your employees. Have managers build their direct reports in time for catch ups and 1-1s. Foster an environment where your employees feel comfortable to discuss and raise any concerns they have with balancing home and work life. Be flexible where you can to help support and retain your employees during the summer – and at all times!