A survey from Bright Horizon's Work and Family Solutions has found that 56 per cent of under 35s rank family life as their greatest priority, with the nursery and back-up childcare provider urging businesses to ‘change tack’ if they want to continue to fill their vacancies.
The Work + Family Snapshot survey was sent to Bright Horizons' clients with responses received from 1,750 workers.
The survey also found that employees under the age of 35 are more likely to move around positions and companies, with career aspirations being at the highest among this age group, and 51 per cent admitting to continuously re-evaluating career options.
Among this group, employers are favouring employment opportunities with greater work and family life balance because of concerns about childcare provision. Out of those surveyed, 57 per said that they had experienced childcare breakdowns lasting five or more days, and 67 per cent have had to use annual leave to plug this childcare gap.
The most popular employers provide back-up childcare with 93 per cent of employees using the service rating their employer as ‘highly supportive of family’. This incentivised loyalty and has subsequently lowered employee desire to seek other job opportunities, the survey found.
According to Bright Horizons, the report reveals a 'new boundary breaking trend' whereby 18-35 year olds are seeking out companies which allow them to maintain an ‘equal footing’ in both their work and family lives. The figures indicate that there is less willingness to accept significant sacrifices of either of these priorities and a move towards a more balanced approach to working.
Denise Priest, the executive director of Work and Family Solutions, said, ‘These findings highlight the considerable power shift currently underway in the workplace - a phenomenon many of us will have already experienced. Put simply, employees now expect increasing support and recognition for their life outside the workplace – and they have the confidence to demand it.
'The statistics send a clear message to employers - younger people fully expect to blend career ambition with family; this is the new normal.'
Concerns have also been raised for the so called ‘sandwich generation’ who are caring for both children and elderly parents.
Priest added, ‘There is a growing need for UK companies to step in, provide gap cover and also to ensure there is enough allowance to cover all employees' dependents, so they aren't forced to choose between care for children, adults or grandparents when arrangements break down.
‘Additional support that employees value comes in the form of time, skilled advice or help with care-giving responsibilities.’
- Read the full report here.
