Research: The Modern Families Index 2020

This study of working parents looks at how they manage the balance between work and family life in the UK. This annual research has been published by Working Families and Bright Horizons Family Solutions since 2012.

Key findings:

• More than half of parents (58%) are working extra, unpaid hours.
• 48% of working parents say that working from home has increased their workload.
• 44% of working parents feel compelled to dip into work in the evenings.
• Parents in “work mode” at home complain of negative impacts on children and relationships.
• More than a third of working parents have faked illness to meet family obligations.
• Almost three-quarters of working parents say childcare is a concern.

The research offers seven recommendations for employers and government on how to better support working parents.

The Modern Families Index is now in its eighth year, and contains evidence from more than 3,000 working parents and carers.