The stress of juggling work and childcare during school holidays is a common struggle for many working parents.
However, new research suggests that the rise of hybrid working is helping to ease this pressure.
According to a study conducted by the International Workplace Group (IWG), 61 percent of parents say that school holidays are a source of significant stress, largely due to the challenge of balancing their work commitments with childcare responsibilities.
Half of the parents surveyed (49%) reported having to use their annual leave to care for their children, while 42 percent had to reduce their working hours during the summer break.
Despite these challenges, there is hope. The widespread adoption of hybrid working models is proving to be a game-changer for many families. The study, which surveyed over 1,000 working parents, found that over three-quarters (78%) would take advantage of local workspaces if employers provided better access to them.
This could help ease the strain by offering greater flexibility over when and where parents work. The demand for these spaces is particularly strong among younger parents, with 92 percent of those aged 35 and under expressing interest.
Parents Resorting to Annual Leave to Reduce Costs
Childcare expenses are a significant concern for parents during the holidays, leading half of those surveyed to use their annual leave to avoid additional costs. Alarmingly, 12 percent of parents reported that they exhaust all their leave on childcare, and 6 percent said they had to take unpaid leave to manage their responsibilities.
The emotional toll is also notable, with 23 percent of parents reporting family arguments over holiday childcare arrangements. Additionally, one in five parents (19%) felt that their children resented them for working during the summer holidays. The burden appears to fall disproportionately on mothers, with 27 percent of mums reporting feelings of resentment from their children, nearly twice the rate of fathers (14%).
Hybrid Work: A Promising Solution
Despite these challenges, the rise of hybrid working is providing relief for many families. The flexibility to work from home or local workspaces has been instrumental in helping parents balance their professional and family obligations. IWG’s research highlights that this shift has also positively impacted workplace productivity, as fewer parents are forced to take leave or reduce their hours during the summer.
IWG CEO Mark Dixon emphasised that hybrid work has become essential for many working parents. “The findings from this latest study underscore the significant challenges that school holidays can bring to working parents,” Dixon said. “Hybrid working can alleviate much of this pressure, and we’re seeing a strong demand for local workspaces that provide parents with the flexibility and convenience they need during the longer summer break.”
Women Leading the Push for Flexibility
Women, in particular, have found hybrid working to be a critical tool for balancing work and home life. A previous IWG study revealed that 89 percent of women reported that hybrid working had improved their ability to manage both. In line with this, the current survey found that the expansion of hybrid working has helped reduce family tensions, with an 8 percent decrease in arguments over childcare since last summer.
IWG’s Chief Commercial Officer, Fatima Konig, highlighted the broader benefits of hybrid work: “Hybrid working not only supports the wellbeing of families but also contributes to the overall mental health and job satisfaction of employees. By offering better access to local workspaces during peak times like the summer holidays, employers can foster a more supportive and productive work environment.”
Looking Ahead
As hybrid working continues to grow, the potential for improving work-life balance, particularly during school holidays, becomes more apparent. With both business leaders and parents recognising its benefits, the future of work may increasingly revolve around flexibility, local workspaces, and more manageable childcare arrangements.
For many families, the shift to hybrid working marks a positive step toward reducing the stress of the summer holidays and creating a more harmonious balance between work and family life.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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