The results of a survey conducted by HRreview and employee benefit and family policy specialists MyFamilyCare suggest that training line-managers to manage parents and carers is not being prioritized in the UK.
In a survey of over one hundred UK employers, only a third (34 percent) offered managers access to written or online best practice guidance on how to manage employees who are parents or carers. Furthermore, only six percent of respondents provided internal development sessions for managers to train in how to administer ‘family friendly’ policies, with a further two percent outsourcing the provision of such training sessions.
The survey was conducted as part of the partnership formed this year between HRreview and MyFamilyCare to introduce a new series of webinars specifically for HR practitioners and policy makers on wellbeing and family friendly policies. The series began this month with a look at the new government tax-free childcare scheme due to be introduced in September 2015 and continues on May 21 with a webinar dedicated to the new shared parental leave arrangements that apply to parents of children born or adopted on or after April 5 2015.
InsideHR panelist and consultant for leading HR training provider Symposium, James Marsh, views the survey outcome as more evidence for the need for greater understanding around family friendly policy.
“The Inside HR series is a response to the number of complex legislative changes in this area for 2015. We aim to give HR pros access to the best explanation and advice so that they can successfully administer these changes and make sure line managers are up to speed”
HRreview have already announced that Debbi Jackson, from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), will be appearing on the next installment of Inside HR on May 21. Jackson is responsible for strategy, policy and communications for female participation and carers’ participation, including maternity, paternity, flexible working, adoption leave and pay, and shared parental leave and pay.
