Working families encompasses employees who have parental or carer responsibilities, and the scope of this workstream covers a broad range of issues pertinent to working carers, working mums, working dads and working parents.
Our 2024 objectives are:
1/ Support for carers:
We want to raise awareness of the growing number of employees with caring responsibilities, and changes to UK legislation that give employees rights to time off for these. We will explore what policies will enable them to successfully navigate caring responsibilities alongside their career and highlight the importance of flexible working polices to create the necessary work-life balance and aid their mental wellbeing. We will also equip line managers with the tools they need to put these policies in to practice and provide guidance on what practical support is available to carers.
2/ Encourage take-up of enhanced paternity leave
Our aim is to encourage fathers and non-birth parents to take more substantial periods of paternity leave, our social media campaign will highlight experiences of others. Through our annual parental leave survey we will measure member firm’s progress against our goal that 90% of member firms will offer the gold standard of six months maternity and paternity leave at 90% by 2026.
3/ Parenting Horizons
This series takes our member firms on the journey to parenthood for those who face a diverse range of challenges and provides insights on ways in which they can play a pivotal role in supporting employees during this deeply personal experience. Working Families will be sponsoring two sessions: Fertility and Childcare
4/ Lightening talks
Video shorts on topical matters related to working families
5/ Childcare support: We would like to explore the need to go further in supporting member firms to play a part in easing the increasing burden of childcare costs and availability, and possibly using its influence with government
To see our full #Working Families aims and objectives, please click here
