The survey found employers recognise the need to help staff with dependent children and that they are prepared to listen to their staff and introduce more flexible working practices. The MORI survey, published last week by the Daycare Trust and BUPA Children@work, showed that employers regard flexible working arrangements as easier to implement than direct help with childcare, while almost three in four (73 per cent) of employers said cost was the main barrier to introducing or expanding childcare support for staff.
Daycare Trust director Stephen Burke said, 'Employers could be much more flexible to support staff with their children and help them balance their home and work responsibilities. There is a clear and recognised business case for action on childcare and family friendly working by employers.
'Big employers are ahead of the game but still face significant barriers to doing more. If employers are to attract and retain the best staff, they need more encouragement.'
Meanwhile a report published last week by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said that firms with a family-friendly approach to working hours and other employment practices are more likely to rate themselves 'above-average' on financial performance and the productivity of their workforce. The Nature and Pattern of Family-Friendly Employment Policies in Britain said these businesses were more likely to report that the sales value and quality of their work had improved in the past year.
The report pointed out links between improvements in a firm's product or service quality and its efforts to allow parents to work part-time or during term-time only and offer help with childcare. It found lower staff turnover where there was flexi-time working, job share arrangements and support for employees working at home.
Shirley Dex, co-author of the study, said, 'Family-friendly policies may not be the main reason why employers report their sales and productivity have improved. But if flexible arrangements are popular and help employees to manage their work-life balance, then the positive effects revealed in this study are good reasons for business to forge ahead with a family-friendly agenda.'
