Warning signs within the UK Modern Families Index 2025

What are the implications for employers of the findings of the UK Modern Families Index 2025?

The UK Modern Families Index 2025 carries some red flags for employers.

This survey of 3,000 randomly-selected UK parents and carers was published on 13th January and makes compelling reading for employers with its many warning signs:

Working parents are feeling high levels of stress. Nearly a third are feeling very stressed. Of those, 80% find it hard to focus on work.
All the post-pandemic gains in satisfaction with employers’ caring attitudes have been eroded. Perception of support peaked in 2023, with the number of employees describing their organisations as “highly supportive” now dropping by 31%.
Parents also have rising concerns about their children’s educational development and mental health. Over half (51%) are concerned or very concerned about their children’s mental health, and 50% have similar concerns about educational development, both a sharp increase on last year.
Around two-thirds of fathers and mothers (65% and 62% respectively), reported childcare breakdowns affecting work in the last year.
Similarly, among those with adult caring responsibilities, 79% of men and 80% of women experienced a care breakdown clashing with work.

Thanks to Employee Benefits, HRreview, Personnel Today and HRDirector, among others, for coverage.

The strong business case for action

What can employers do about the challenges highlighted in the Modern Families Index?

For a start, the findings help employers compile a strong business case for taking action to support working parents and carers in these cost-conscious times.

Care breakdowns clashing with work

This is a clear case for back-up care. It’s important to know that the business case for providing care has been demonstrated in research conducted by Boston Consulting Group:

“The results debunk a widespread perception that employer-sponsored childcare benefits are strictly a cost center. Instead, we found that all five companies obtained a positive return on investment (ROI) - from 90% to as high as 425%.”

The research was exploring the impact of a combination of regular childcare and back-up care.

The strong need for support among carers of adults is also striking, calling for similar action with back-up care, help in navigating the care maze and coaching to manage work-life blend.

Parents’ concerns about their children’s mental health and educational development

This can be supported through access to advice for parents and direct support made available to their children.

Bright Horizons’ clients offer their working parents a range of practical and emotional supports, such as tutoring support for children and personal advice, webinars and content to address parents’ specific concerns.

Family support and careers

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of working parents consider their employer’s support for family life before accepting or applying for promotions or new roles. Whatever you have in place to support families, make sure it is well-promoted and known, including among new and potential hires.

There is much other actionable advice in the report.

Bright Horizons will be discussing the MFI in detail with Personnel Today editor, Rob Moss, in a webinar on 25th February. Register to attend.

To read more on this topic view the full blog.