School holidays | Working parents are worrying about childcare this summer - how can HR help?

More than half (58%) of UK parents are stressed about arranging childcare ahead of the upcoming school summer holiday, new research has revealed. Additionally, 72% of parents surveyed said they would utilise a local workspace or nearby office, closer to home, in order to reduce this stress.

The research carried out by International Workplace Group (IWG), a leading platform for workspaces, found that the stress of the summer holidays is particularly felt by those with younger children. Three-quarters (76%) with children under the age of seven said they are worrying about balancing childcare and work during the upcoming summer break.

The research also found that hybrid working policies can help alleviate some of this stress, with parents saying more flexibility over their working patterns would help reduce their stress levels (41%).

Having access to a local workspace - enabling parents to reduce the time and money spent commuting - was an especially appealing option for parents. The availability of a local workspace was particularly popular among those with younger families; nine in 10 (90%) with children under the age of three said they would use a local workspace if they were able to do so.