Supporting parents in the workplace

Being a working parent can be incredibly difficult. Alongside raising a family, you’re also managing the demands of a full or part-time career. Achieving the right balance can be challenging and requires support from your workplace. 

In 2023, the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 25.7% of couples with children aged between 0 – 4 years had both parents working full-time. More than ever, working families are making up a large proportion of Australia’s workforce. This means offering parental benefits, having family-friendly policies and creating a supportive culture is essential for businesses to remain competitive. 

We’ve compiled our key foundations for organisational success, based on a need to ensure our workplaces are family-friendly and therefore retaining top talent, throughout all stages of their lives.

Providing your employees the opportunity to celebrate with their newborn children is fundamental for creating a workplace that is supportive of new parents. 

Paid parental leave has many benefits for parents and children, including:

Paid parental leave will in turn, provide many advantages for your business, such as:

Offering a gender neutral approach to parental leave also creates more opportunities to close the gender pay gap by allowing fathers to take more time off work, supporting mothers returning to the workforce.

Deloitte Australia provides progressive parental leave allowances, removing primary and secondary carer labels years ago, offering 18 weeks paid level that can be taken flexibly over the first 36 months from birth. Deloitte also offers transition support for those commencing leave and returning to work, which includes individual coaching sessions. According to a recent survey, 92% of Deloitte parents reported a higher work-life satisfaction as a result of this coaching.

Flexible working is widely recognised as a valuable way to attract and retain employees across all age groups and genders. It contributes to higher employee engagement and productivity, and is linked to boosting employee wellbeing and happiness. 

Flexible working arrangements are particularly beneficial for new parents, as they provide the flexibility needed to manage both professional and personal responsibilities. By allowing parents to adjust their work hours, work remotely, or access job-sharing options, organisations can help alleviate the stress associated with juggling work and family life. 

With the proportion of Australian organisations in the private sector with flexible working processes now exceeding 78%, this is a competitive proposition that will influence the talent your business attracts and retains. 

It’s important to note here as well, what real flexibility looks like. Many businesses offer ‘flexibility’ but perhaps not in a way that actually supports the responsibilities of parents. This includes not only workplace policies, but encouraging a genuinely supportive culture that recognises the workday might no longer resemble a typical 9-5.  

Workflow software can be a game-changer for new parents balancing the demands of work and family life. 

By providing a centralised platform to manage tasks, deadlines, and streamline communications, software is able to streamline workflows and reduce the complexities of juggling multiple responsibilities. New parents can use these tools to set priorities, delegate tasks, and keep track of progress in a way that accommodates their evolving schedules. Features like automated reminders and shared project boards also enhance efficiency and ensure that important tasks are not overlooked.

The transition to parenthood can bring a lot of joy, but also significant stress, including sleep deprivation, hormonal changes, and the pressures of adapting to a new role. 

At least one in every five women and one in ten fathers or partners experience anxiety, depression, or both during pregnancy and/or following birth. This means supporting the mental health of new parents is important for not only their wellbeing but their ability to thrive professionally. It’s essential your organisation has mental health resources in place to support working parents, such as access to therapists and self-guided resources. 

By providing parents an outlet for emotional support, new parents are able to take on their roles and responsibilities with more clarity. 

Working parents make up a significant portion of the workforce, and businesses that invest in parental benefits, flexible working arrangements, and mental health support stand to gain immensely. By offering paid parental leave, companies can ensure that employees feel valued and secure, which in turn reduces turnover and promotes loyalty. Flexible working arrangements further empower new parents to balance their professional and personal lives, leading to increased engagement and productivity. Workflow software and mental health resources are important in helping parents manage their responsibilities effectively and maintain wellbeing.

Ultimately, creating a supportive environment for new parents is more than a moral imperative. It’s a vital component of a thriving, modern workplace. As businesses adapt to the evolving needs of their employees, they not only optimise their own success but contribute to a more inclusive and supportive society. Investing in the wellbeing of new parents is an investment in the future of your organisation.

Leora is a workplace wellness platform that enables employees access to a network of accredited and experienced therapists. Through one connected wellbeing platform, users can schedule therapy appointments, seek immediate advice from qualified counsellors and utilise a library of wellness resources.

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