The Modern Families Index 2018

The Modern Families Index, published annually by Bright Horizons and Working Families, is the most comprehensive survey exploring how working families manage the balance between work and family life.

This year, the Index has particularly examined working hours, how often families are putting in extras hours outside of working time and the impact this has on work and family life. It also asked about flexible working, the types of flexible working opportunities available and the level of control this offered.

The Index captured the responses from 2,761 working parents and carers with at least one dependent child aged 13 or younger. Respondents represented a range of household incomes and family structures, and were spread equally across the 12 regions of the UK, including Scotland and Wales.

It's clear from this year's report that supporting families is not only the right thing to do, but it's also the smart thing to do. For the majority, family life continues to come first and as the number of parents working full time increases, we need to provide families with greater choice – rather than an either/or dilemma – when it comes to work and life. This year’s respondents reported they’re working the equivalent of an extra day each week on average which is posing real risks to businesses from employees downshifting roles, stalling careers or even resigning in search of a better work-life balance. This has implications for family time, healthy eating and exercise, and emotional wellbeing – not to mention the practical considerations of combining workload with care for loved ones.

Download your copy of the report to find out more about today’s working families and how we can all take a leading role in enabling everyone to grow and thrive both at home and in the workplace.