Parents say hybrid working could play a key role in solving holiday childcare issues

By: Trademagazin Date: 2025. 07. 14. 10:31

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According to the latest research by the International Workplace Group, more than half (58%) of parents are stressed about arranging childcare during school holidays. 72% of parents surveyed said they would prefer to work more from home during these times. Three-quarters (76%) of parents with children under 7 find it difficult to balance work and childcare during the holidays.

41% of respondents said flexible working or hybrid working could help alleviate this stress. A workplace close to home – which allows parents to reduce the time and cost of commuting – could be a solution for parents. This is particularly true for younger families: 90% of parents with children under three said they would like to work closer to home if they had the opportunity.

Lack of flexibility increases stress

Parents whose workplaces have tightened their flexible working arrangements this year are already finding it more of a burden to juggle childcare and work this summer. A third of these parents (33%) report having to use up more of their annual leave, and 29% say that the balance of childcare responsibilities in the family is being disrupted.

The stress of the summer months hits mothers much harder, with mothers almost twice as likely (24%) to find the holidays “very stressful” compared to fathers (14%).

Parents are using their annual leave to care for children

More than half (54%) of working parents are using their annual leave in the summer to help offset rising childcare costs. 10% plan to take their entire annual leave for this purpose, while 6% take unpaid leave for part of the summer.

Many parents are planning to change their work schedule due to childcare: a third (36%) are reducing their working hours, while a fifth (21%) are working early in the morning or late at night to make up for lost time due to childcare during the day.