New research from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has revealed that a lack of flexible working arrangements is compelling parents to leave their jobs. A survey of 500 parents with children under seven found that one in three had resigned from a position due to insufficient flexible options.
Parents face rejection of flexible working requests
A similar proportion of parents reported that their informal requests for flexible working were either partially or fully rejected by employers. Three-quarters of respondents stated they would be more inclined to apply for a job if it offered flexible working, yet nearly one in five were unaware of their legal right to request it.
TUC calls for mandatory advertising of flexibility
The TUC argues that flexible working remains “stigmatised” and calls for the government to mandate employers to advertise potential flexibility in job roles. The union body emphasises that without such measures, many parents will continue to face barriers in balancing work and family responsibilities.
These findings highlight the ongoing challenges parents face in securing work arrangements that accommodate their childcare needs. The TUC's survey underscores the need for policy changes to ensure flexible working is not only available but also actively promoted by employers.
