Working parents call for more flexibility

Thursday 29 June 2017

48% of working parents in Jersey want greater flexibility from employers to help them balance their work and family needs, according to a survey carried out by the Jersey Child Care Trust.

More than 700 parents responded to the Working Parent Survey, the first of its kind to provide a glimpse into their working lives, with questions about their family and work circumstances as well as what could help them meet the balance between the two.

A majority of the respondents, 55.2%, indicated they are employed full time, with 422 stating they work in office-based settings on weekdays, from 09:00 to 17:00. Nearly a third of respondents work in financial services with Education and Health coming as the second and third largest categories.

Many parents reported working more than one part time job and also working, or wishing, to work term-time only. Some said that they either took work home, were able to work from home or had to work from home at weekends or in the evenings. Some parents reported they couldn’t afford to work more due to the cost of childcare while others said they were working longer hours or doing several jobs to support their child.

Pictured: The vast majority of parents in Jersey work full-time in an office-based environment.

40.3% of the respondents said that their working arrangements were not meeting their needs or their family's. Individual comments mentioned the need for more flexible employment options, including term-time-only positions, and more flexible working arrangements.

However, Eliot Lincoln, President of the Chamber of Commerce, said the results are positive: “The right to request flexible working was a fundamental change in Jersey legislation, so it is encouraging that businesses and organisations in the island are recognising the benefits of offering flexible working practices. The fact that 68% of respondents felt that their working arrangements were meeting their needs, is a good sign and a positive differentiator for businesses looking to recruit in a competitive marketplace.”

While around 79% of parents indicated their employer is approachable and flexible about working hours, individual comments mentioned difficulties with changing hours or adapting for illness or special occasions. Some stated there is an implication that they are not committed to the firm or their career or that they have to take annual or sick leave when looking after ill children. 

Pictured: Parents are calling for more flexibility to be able to meet their work requirements whilst having a family life.

Fiona Vacher, JCCT Executive Director, said: “One of our priorities is to create stronger links with employers through their representative groups. This is because Jersey has one of the highest rates of working women in the developed world and so naturally, in turn, many of our young children are cared for by others.  

"Through the work of the 1001 Critical Days Agenda nationally, we know the importance of a good start for babies and children. The impact of getting this right is felt far beyond the family.  Society benefits through future generations that are better able to learn, earn more, be healthier and more likely to stop the cycle of harm being continued.”  

Nearly a third of parents said they felt they had been discriminated against. Over 100 said they had received derogatory comments from colleagues such as "wouldn’t it be good if parents didn’t have to work", "this job is not for parents", "leaving already" or "you choose to have kids and work." Some also said they have been ignored, talked down to or that there had been financial discrimination relating to bonuses received.

The States of Jersey - the biggest employer on the Island - were criticised by a few respondents for their HR policy which was described as "not family friendly."

A States spokesperson commented: "The States of Jersey has a number of policies that are intended to be family friendly – we do not have a ‘working parents’ policy, as such. Our policies include parental leave policies (maternity, paternity and adoption), flexible working (the right to request flexible working arrangements), flexitime, career break and special leave. All our policies are agreed and reviewed in consultation with Trades Union representatives.

"The background is that a further review is planned following the outcome of the consultation on family friendly legislation by the Social Security Minister in December. The special leave policy has specific provision for situations of urgent domestic distress (e.g. serious illness of a child or dependent) but staff are expected to make contingency arrangements for the breakdown in routine care arrangements (although, they can take flexi, holidays or unpaid leave in those circumstances)."

Pictured: Money is the biggest issue for working parents, with many unable to afford childcare for more than one child. (JCCT)

Some parents also called for more help from the government, including tax benefits, relaxed immigration rules for grandparents, a provision to allow one parent to stay at home, tax relief for holiday clubs and incentives for employers.