Concerns Arise Among Working Parents Regarding Children's Mental Well-being
Concerns Arise Among Working Parents Regarding Children’s Mental Well-being– A recent report by Deloitte has shed light on the significant concerns working parents have regarding their children’s mental health, with nearly half (46%) expressing worry, and 29% identifying it as a top concern.
Furthermore, over half (56%) of working parents admitted that these concerns have a tangible impact on their performance at work, with 21% reporting decreased productivity.
The findings from the report indicate that the collective worry among working parents regarding their children’s mental well-being results in substantial costs for employers, amounting to £8 billion annually.
This figure adds an extra 16% to the already substantial £51 billion employers spent on addressing employee mental health-related costs in 2023.
Ana Anzar, CEO of the parent support platform REC Parenting, emphasized the importance for employers to address these concerns, stating that neglecting the well-being of employees and their families is no longer acceptable. She highlighted the direct correlation between employees’ worries about their children’s mental health and their productivity levels, urging employers to recognize the impact on organizational performance.
Anzar emphasized that supporting employees in navigating these challenges is not just a compassionate gesture but also a sound business decision in fostering a healthy and productive work environment.
Supporting employees in addressing concerns about their children’s mental health can yield numerous benefits for employers, including cost savings, talent retention and attraction, fostering a happier work environment, and ultimately enhancing the lives of working parents and their families.
Among the contributors to the £8 billion cost to employers, staff turnover emerges as the primary expense, totaling £3.2 billion, followed by absence (£2.2 billion) and presenteeism (£2.9 billion).
Significantly, one in 100 working parents who left their jobs attributed their departure entirely to the mental health and well-being of their child.
The impact of these concerns is evident in the actions taken by working parents, with 20% taking days off to care for their children, typically ranging from one to five days per year, while 15% considered changing jobs for better hours or proximity to home.
Despite the prevalence of these concerns, a notable proportion of working parents (35%) expect their employers to provide support, with 20% expressing dissatisfaction with the level of support received.
Mandy Garner, editor of workingmums.co.uk, emphasizes that employers can address these concerns by offering flexible working arrangements or facilitating access to professional assistance, thereby providing valuable support to working parents in navigating the challenges associated with their children’s mental health.
According to Jane van Zyl, CEO at Working Families, a lack of communication can hinder working parents from accessing the support their employers offer. She emphasized that many parents encounter obstacles in accessing policies, support, and benefits due to various factors, including insufficient information, fear of stigma, or concerns about career advancement.
Van Zyl suggested that regular communication from HR regarding available support is essential. She highlighted the importance of creating parent forums where employees can discuss experiences, access expert help, and provide feedback on what support measures would be most beneficial.
Ana Anzar echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that supportive measures are meaningless if working parents are unaware of them or feel hesitant to utilize them due to concerns about career progression or stigma. Anzar emphasized the importance of HR actively promoting available support during recruitment, interviews, onboarding, and regular reminders to employees.
The insights from the UK Mental Health Report 2024, based on a YouGov survey of 3,156 working adults, including 1,834 working parents, underscore the importance of effective communication and support mechanisms in addressing the challenges faced by working parents in balancing work and family responsibilities.
