Strengthening Workplaces: The Case for Supporting Working Parents to Thrive
From navigating surprise absences to coordinating activities, and remembering every little action that comes with raising primary school-aged kids, the mental load of being a parent is undeniably heavy. Add in work responsibilities, and it can sometimes feel like the demands are endless. It’s a constant juggle, a balancing act that leaves many parents feeling stretched to their limits.
The spinning plates analogy feels all too familiar. Parents often find themselves working hard to keep everything moving, but at what cost?
The reality of being a working parent in today’s fast-paced, always-on culture means that the pressure to meet expectations - our own often being the toughest of all - is relentless.
There was once a time when parents (mainly mothers) were given more space and permission to focus on parenting and all it entails. Over the years, expectations have only grown. We’ve added more and more responsibilities to parents' plates without taking anything away. The result? Many parents feel like they’re failing in one area or another.
But here’s the truth: parenting, for all its messiness and unpredictability, is also deeply rewarding. It’s a journey of joy, adventure, and personal growth. And when parents are supported in balancing their work and family lives, they can bring those qualities, along with resilience, creativity, and empathy (to name just a few), back into the workplace.
This is where employers can make a significant impact
Organisations have an opportunity - and a responsibility - to help parents thrive both personally and professionally. By creating environments that acknowledge the unique challenges of parenthood and providing meaningful support, employers can not only help improve the well-being of their workforce but also improve business outcomes.
What does this support look like?
A culture of understanding, where leaders and teams are aware of and actively embrace the needs of working parents rather than seeing them as exceptions to the norm.
Flexible working arrangements that empower parents to manage their time effectively.
Parental coaching and mentorship programmes that help navigate the complexities of working while raising a family.
Benefits that recognise the mental load parents carry, such as childcare assistance, family leave policies, or access to counselling and wellness resources.
When organisations invest in these kinds of support systems, the ripple effects are profound. Employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated. Retention improves, productivity rises, and a more inclusive culture takes root. Importantly, parents themselves are given the tools to lead themselves and others positively.
Parenting doesn’t have to mean a constant battle between work and home life. It can (and should) be a harmonious integration of both, where the skills and perspectives gained in one enrich the other. Employers who recognise this and take steps to create thriving environments for working parents are not just supporting their employees and their families - they’re shaping the future of work.
Because when parents thrive, so do organisations.