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Lack of support forces lone parent out of jobs
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20/07/04 On becoming a lone parent, nearly a third (31%) of those in work decide to leave -but most of those who quit would rather stay on in the workplace and leave unwillingly, according to MORI research commissioned by national charity One Parent Families and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS).
Almost six in ten (57%) of those who leave do not wish to and a significant proportion stay out of the labour market for several years, with 38% staying out of work for two years or more. Sixty four per cent of the respondents had found themselves raising children alone after a divorce or separation. With one in four British families now headed by a lone parent, the charity is urging employers and the Government to take concerted action to help working lone parents stay on in their jobs if they choose to.
The lack of affordable and suitable childcare is still the biggest single barrier to remaining in a job, cited by 31% of those who quit or slashed their hours. Sixteen per cent of lone parents cited a lack of flexible working arrangements or lack of support from an employer and 14% cited stress. However, the research also showed that two fifths (41%) of lone parents who quit or cut their hours chose to spend more time with their children.
Almost one fifth (19%) of respondents who were working when they became lone parents said their preferred option would have been to reduce their hours in order to juggle work and caring responsibilities - but only one in ten (10%) were able to. Thirty eight per cent of the sample did not ask for advice or support on employment issues from either their employers, friends, family or independent advisers. In a separate You Gov poll, 51% of the general public believed Government investment in childcare - to enable lone parents to return to work - should be the biggest priority for single parents of three and four year olds.
One Parent Families has launched a new initiative to explore with a number of major employers the potential to develop a support package for working parents who may be struggling to balance work and parenting. The 'Family Fortunes' project aims to bring the charity's expertise to the employers to develop a new service to help parents through family change, improve their chances of holding on to their jobs and achieve a healthy work/life balance.
Acting Director of One Parent Families Andy Keen Downs said: "Too many parents who are struggling to hold on to jobs do not know where to turn for support and information to help them juggle work and parenting. As our MORI findings show, significant numbers of parents who find themselves caring for children on their own are leaving work reluctantly because they feel there is no other option. Working parents need more quality, affordable childcare, and they need access to information, advice and support when things go wrong. We are inviting employers to get involved in Family Fortunes, and we are delighted that The Royal Bank of Scotland Group and Asda have already agreed to work with us to develop our ideas".
Neil Roden, Group Director HR for The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, said: “RBS group already supports the work of One Parent Families and we are pleased to be extending this partnership through their ‘Family Fortunes’ initiative. At the Bank we are committed to flexible working, and we look forward to benefiting from the specialised knowledge of One Parent Families.”
Kerry Holden, head of colleague relations for Asda, said: "A huge proportion of our colleagues are working single parents and they make a huge and valuable contribution to our business. They have been instrumental in helping us shape award-winning working practices that have helped our employees strike a balance between work and family - whatever its shape or size - commitments."
Notes to Editors:
Results of the MORI survey are based on interviews with 208 lone parents who were in employment at the time they became a lone parent. Questions were placed on the MORI's Omnibus, which interviews a nationally representative quota sample of adults throughout Britain. Interviews were carried out by MORI Field and Tab using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing, face to face in respondents' homes on three omnibus waves. Interviewing took place during the periods: 29 April - 4 May, 6-11 May and 20 -25 May 2004.
YouGov questioned a representative sample of 2,109 electors throughout Britain online between 25 and 27 May 2004.
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group is in the third year of its £500,000 partnership with One Parent Families, supporting the charity’s freephone helpline giving telephone advice, information and support to 25,000 callers every year. The Bank also funds the charity’s series of booklets on money issues including benefits & tax, debt, and returning to education, training and employment. Last year, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group spent £40 million on its community investment programme – a wide-ranging portfolio of partnerships with organisations working in the areas of social and financial inclusion, education and enterprise.
Further information from One Parent Families press officer Jane Ahrends on 020 7428 5416 /0788 195 1138.
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