New research has revealed that there is a clear link between family friendly benefits and improved employee productivity, engagement, loyalty and wellbeing.
The Work and family snapshot 2021 employee survey from childcare provider Bright Horizons found that nearly half (48%) of workforces now see family life as a higher priority than before the pandemic.
When asked about the impact of family support available, including childcare and eldercare services, 67% of respondents agreed that it had a positive impact on productivity; 76% were more likely to recommend the employer to others; 69% felt more committed to their employer, and 74% said that it positively impacts overall wellbeing and/or reduces stress.
More than three-quarters (78%) said that their organisation cares about their work and home balance, while 79% agreed that their manager cares about this balance.
The survey found that 77% of employees would prefer a hybrid way of working in the future, while 16% would want to work from home for 100% of the time compared to 5% that would want to work in the office 100% of the time.
When asked how else their employer could further support them, the top support was a positive approach to flexible working (90%), access to emergency child or adult dependant care (43%), a knowledgeable and supportive line manager (42%), enhanced parental/dependant leave (39%) and access to employer-subsidised childcare (33%).
Jennifer Liston-Smith, head of thought leadership at Bright Horizons, said: “Family-friendly employers reap the rewards when it comes to engagement with their employees. Having tangible solutions in place to help with work and life challenges for employees is something that has boosted wellbeing and loyalty during recent extreme times and which smart employers will continue to provide, given the engagement premium.”