New research by Avilio, a productivity and performance coaching provider, has found that half of managers who are also parents are considering leaving their roles due to challenges balancing work with family responsibilities.
The study was conducted through an independent survey of 739 UK managers, including 392 parents. Among respondents, 72 percent of managers report that being a parent has significantly changed their working habits. The pressures of balancing work commitments with family obligations often lead to a sense of “parent guilt,” experienced by nearly half (48 percent) of manager parents surveyed.
This term describes the guilt felt by parents when they are unable to give their children adequate time or attention due to professional responsibilities.
Impact on Wellbeing and Job Satisfaction
Of those experiencing parent guilt, over half (54 percent) feel as though they are falling short both as parents and professionals, struggling to meet the demands of both roles . The impact on personal wellbeing is considerable, with 62 percent of respondents reporting that parent guilt affects their overall mental and emotional health.
Parent guilt also affects job performance, with 46 percent of parents in management roles saying it diminishes their ability to perform at work. Additionally, 44 percent of respondents indicated they resent their jobs, as their roles limit the time they can spend with family.
Philippe Masson, CEO of Avilio, said, “When someone becomes a parent, their personal life undergoes a profound shift, yet their professional responsibilities either remain unchanged, or even grow as their seniority increases. As our research shows, this disconnect places a significant strain on relationships at home, which is translating into a decline in overall wellbeing and, ultimately, job performance.
“In a business landscape where employee turnover is high, our study should ring some alarm bells. Businesses simply cannot afford to overlook the wellbeing of their staff, especially those trying to juggle the demands of raising a family alongside their work commitments. Beyond the moral imperative to better support parents, our survey highlights a clear business case as well.
“Employers must recognise this and take meaningful steps to ensure working parents are provided with the tools and support they need to strike a better work-life balance. In turn, this will not only help to improve employee’s wellbeing and job performance but could contribute to better talent retention as well.”