Australian Employers are Getting Better at Supporting Working Parents

Working parents make up a large segment of the Australian workforce, which continues to rise as working mothers return to work rates increase.  In 2020 Gen X and Y are expected to make up over 70% of the workforce.  However they haven’t always had their specific needs met by employers but it does appear that Australian employers are getting better at supporting working parents.

 

Parents At Work ran a working families survey for the month of April 2017.  With 324 respondents the survey provides up-to-date, relevant statics on the experience of working parents (and families) in terms of work, child care and Federal Government support.

 

When asked if the working parent felt supported by your employer the majority (78.6%) said “yes”, particularly in the areas of flexible work practices.  Employers also get a good review in terms of providing paid maternity or parental leave, and clear policies and procedures for working parents.

 

It appears Australian employers can still do better in the areas of pay rises and promotions being given to working parents and more specifically child care rebates or subsidies.

Respondents also made comments on the need for more general understanding of a person’s cring responsibilities such as not being able to ‘stay back after hours’.  Some respondents indicated that they were made to feel grateful or guilty for working part-time and are often expected to fit a 5 day work week into 3 days.” stated Celeste Kirby-Brown, Sales and Marketing Director of Parents At Work and author of the report.

 

Respondents had many excellent ideas for addressing the issues of flexible work practices including:

1.       Employers allowing “Complete flexibility regarding working hours, my job can be done anytime from anywhere, should just be about results and not just hours in the office.”

2.       “…the measurements for success fairly realigned for my part time hours.”

3.       “Having my job returned to me instead of being expected to go to a different site for a different position.”

 

There are certainly good news stories for working parents in terms of their experience of work.  This respondent stated, “My employer is brilliant when it comes to being a working dad.  I have flexible working locations, home or office and for the most part can prioritise family over work when there are important family events happening.”

 

About the 2017 Working Families Report

The report was compiled from a group of 324 working parents and was run for the month of April 2017.  It was completely anonymous and asked questions on the following:

1.       Gender

2.       Participation in paid work

3.       Living with a partner

4.       The partner’s participation in paid work

5.       Use of formal and informal child care

6.       Unfair treatment by employers during pregnancy, during leave or whilst returning to work

7.       Support given by employers to working families

8.       Support given by the Federal Government to working families

 

The Parents At Work working families survey provided a unique opportunity for everyday Australian parents to be heard on key issues that impact their career and family life.

 

You can download your free copy of the working families report here.