Working Family | The Hidden Danger undermining Return to Office and Productivity

The Hidden Danger undermining Return to Office and Productivity

New research, The Modern Families Index 2025, with 3,000 UK parents and carers shows high stress, and missed productivity that could easily be fixed to support business performance.

Parents and carers report they are feeling less supported by employers now than they were two years ago, just at the moment when Return to Office requires that extra effort.

This report provides crucial insights into the evolving landscape of combining careers with family and work-life balance at a pivotal moment in time.

We explore the issues and challenges that face working parents today, with suggestions and solutions that will help employers engage, retain and plan for an ever-changing future.

This year's report highlights significant trends and challenges:

  • Stress Levels: Nearly a third of working parents and carers report feeling very stressed, with only 18% considering themselves to have low stress.

  • Expectation of Employer Support: There is a noticeable decline in the perception that employers care about or support family responsibilities, dropping from 77% in 2023 to 68% in 2025, yet growing expectations that employers should provide support to enable careers to flourish alongside family life.

  • Mental Health Concerns: Over half (51%) of parents are concerned or very concerned about their children's mental health.

  • Job Considerations: 73% of working parents would consider an employer's support for family life before accepting or applying for a promotion or a new job.

Download the full report

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