Mums say what makes the most family friendly employers

Employers who offer flexible hours and allow regular homeworking in full-time jobs are rated the most family friendly by parents, according to a survey conducted by Workingmums.co.uk.

For the over 2,100 parents polled, most of whom are mums, being a family friendly company was much more about flexible working than about good maternity policies. Some 87% said offering flexible hours for full-time jobs was a key factor in what made for a family-friendly employer.

78% favoured offering part-time jobs and 75% said allowing holiday days to be taken at short notice to deal with emergencies such as sick children was what counted. Childcare help was important for 62% cent of parents, significantly higher than benefits like extended maternity pay periods, networking and support groups and parenting courses.
Most women (77%) who had gone back to work had done so for financial reasons – this was 7% up on last year’s figure.

For many being a working mum was a positive thing. Some 80% of women said they enjoyed their work and 74% said it boosted their self esteem.

For those not currently working, the greatest barrier to returning to work was viewed as the lack of appropriate flexible jobs (58%). 
Of those who requested flexible or part-time working upon their return to work, a majority (57%) felt that they got what they asked for or reached a good compromise.