Dive Brief:
- A new study of working parents and their managers found that working parents report being burned out and left out at work, leaving them more likely to quit, be less creative and, at the very least, less energized about their jobs.
- The study, the second annual Modern Family Index commissioned by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, explored the challenges working parents have in managing their work and family responsibilities, and the impact these challenges have on employers.
- Working moms and dads alike reveal that the combination of work and family responsibilities is causing anxiety and depression and keeping them from doing their best at work. The good news is parents and managers agree on one important thing: the solution to this problem rests in the workplace.
Dive Insight:
The Bright Horizons survey found that 56% of working parents aren't happy at their current job, 98% say they've experienced burnout, 62% feel their employer simply doesn't care about them and 64% don't feel their employer is attentive to the needs of working parents.
To try and mitigate those harsh numbers, Bright Horizons says providing solutions for working parents could help managers retain these employees that they clearly see as valuable.
"We work with hundreds of employers who are tuned into the challenges faced by working families and who recognize that these employees are also among their most valuable," said Bright Horizons CEO David Lissy. "The labor market is tightening. Jobs are expected to outnumber workers by five million by 2020 and competition for top talent will continue to intensify. The bottom line is: employers who can earn the hearts and minds of working parents will be ahead of the curve."
