U.S. hiring decision-makers report roughly half of their workforce, on average, are working parents, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, 82 percent of these hiring managers say their company offers enough benefits to working parents to make them feel accommodated and supported.

This is according to a recent survey from The Harris Poll commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.

With the next few weeks marking the start of the third school year since the onset of the pandemic, school closures added additional pressure and tension on the shoulders of working parents — possibly more so for working mothers than fathers. Nearly four in five hiring decision-makers (79 percent) agree that working mothers have faced more challenges than working fathers — around a third (34 percent) strongly agree.

More than half of companies (55 percent) currently offer paid leave, including paid maternity (39 percent), paternity (31 percent), and/or even paid parental leave for parents fostering and/or adopting (22 percent). Flexible work hours (43 percent), flexible work location (34 percent), unpaid parental leave (31 percent), and/or the ability to work part-time (31 percent) are also offered at many companies.

Specifically, since the start of the pandemic, around two in five U.S. hiring decision-makers with working parents in their workforce report the company has allowed working parents to work remotely (42 percent), adjust their work hours (41 percent), and/or taken time off to care for their children (37 percent).

Around a quarter (26 percent) say their working parents have shifted from full-time to part-time work. Some companies have even offered additional incentives to parents (e.g., a daycare stipend, financial resources for adoption) (22 percent), and/or offered/increased the amount of employee parental leave (20 percent) in order to help retain current employees or attract new ones.

“Working parents are a critical part of the workforce, and with so many options for job seekers, it’s important that employers support their employees in many aspects of their life — not just their ‘work life,'” said Maria O’Connell, owner of the Malvern Express franchise office. “Effective incentives are whole-life focused. Understanding that your employees are choosing to work with your organization shifts the focus and the desire to serve them and their families well.”

Every segment in the labor force is incredibly important, according to Express Employment International CEO Bill Stoller.

“In this instance, companies are wise to offer some flexibility to working parents to help ease the labor shortage,” he said.  

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals between May 3 and May 23, 2022 and among 1,003 U.S. hiring decision-makers (defined as adults ages 18+ in the U.S. who are employed full-time or self-employed, work at companies with more than one employee, and have full/significant involvement in hiring decisions at their company). Data were weighted where necessary by company size to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Maria O’Connell, call 484-329-7930.

Express Employment Professionals, the sponsor of VISTA Today’s Hiring Chesco, is in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Its international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, employing 526,000 people globally in 2020. Learn more.

The Chester County – Main Line, PA Express office is located at 215 Lancaster Avenue and serves the Greater Philadelphia area. Local businesses and applicants are encouraged to stop by, visit the website, or call 484-329-7930.