With the rise in Covid-19 cases, tightening restrictions and accompanying schools closures across Europe and the US, more working parents are at breaking point and at high risk of burnout as they juggle work and parenting demands. In fact, the UK’s trade union umbrella body, the TUC has today called for the government and employers to “do the right thing and furlough mums and dads” affected by the new restrictions.
Recent research from Great Place to Work in partnership with healthcare company Maven Clinic reveals that mothers particularly face higher risk of burnout than men. Mothers are 28% more likely to experience burnout than fathers. Working parents from minority groups are also at greater risk of burnout, reveals the study. Approximately 33% of Black mothers and 30% Asian mothers are experiencing burnout, compared to 25% of White mothers. Additionally, 25% of Black fathers are experiencing burnout, compared to 21% of White fathers.
In addition, this has led to an increasing number of women opting to exit the workforce, as reported. Working staff with children need the support of caring leaders and organisations more than ever before to avoid burnout, confirmed the study. This is backed up by organisations like the TUC calling for more support for working parents as more schools remain shut due to tightening restrictions after the holiday period.
INVESTING IN WORKING PARENTS
The business benefits of investing in working parents is huge. When companies reduce burnout and invest in staff and their families, employees are 20 times more likely to stay and companies see 5.5 times more revenue growth thanks to greater innovation, higher talent retention and increased productivity, confirmed the Parents at the Best Workplace research from Great Places to Work.
It can also bolster a company’s diversity and inclusion strategy, and help to close the gender wage gap. But policies need to address the unique reasons for burnout, highlighted the report. Additionally, supporting parents should be core to companies’ diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. Yet “we often talk about these two priorities separately”, the study noted.
The best companies are thinking beyond maternity leave to support employees throughout the entire journey of planning and raising a family, and encouraging fathers to take time off. According to the study, 81% of companies rated as “Best Workplaces” over the last year during the unprecedented crisis have provided vital benefits and “consistently creating positive experiences” for working parents trying to juggle jobs with remote education and quarantines in 2020.
The Best Workplaces are supporting their parents’ childcare needs by helping them find childcare (78%) or backup childcare (56%) and offering parent employee resource groups (61%). They are also offering benefits like telemedicine for pregnant and postpartum families (49%), return-to-work career coaching (48%), and breast milk shipping (52%).
TOP 10 WORKPLACES FOR PARENTS
So which companies have provided “standout” support during what has been an unprecedented and challenging year for employees with caregiving responsibilities? Technology giant Cisco moved into the top spot this year, followed by Hilton and Comcast NBCUniversal.
The Top 10 Best Workplaces for Parents include:
- Cisco
- Hilton
- Comcast NBCUniversal
- UKG (formerly ULTIMATE SOFTWARE)
- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- Deloitte
- Edward Jones
- Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
- American Express
- Slalom, LLC
“These organisations are excelling in doing right by their working parents and parents-to-be,” said Great Place to Work CEO Michael C Bush. “One of my favourite findings from this research is that when companies are great for parents and aspiring parents, they tend to be great for everyone else as well.”
Click here to see the top 100 Best Places to Work for Parents.
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