In a new poll of 2,000 Americans who have taken parental leave in the past, parents were asked which of the nation's 15 largest industries they would find better suited to family life if they were to change jobs, with tech (15%) considered the most supportive.
Similarly, the technology industry was the top choice (17%) when it came to supporting flexible work schedules, a must-have for most parents today.
Contractor Triple Ten A survey conducted by Talker Research revealed that balancing work and parenting can be difficult, with 43% of people feeling that they often have to prioritise parenting over work.
In fact, 55% of people have considered taking an extended period of time off work to raise their children, beyond the time typically covered by maternity or parental leave, and of those, 59% have actually left work to focus on raising their children.
What's more, 74% say they would change their career path if their employer were to accommodate their family life more.
Parents said their current jobs lack modern benefits such as a four-day work week (44%), unlimited paid vacation (30%), working exclusively or primarily from home (30%), great health insurance options (26%) and on-site childcare options (25%).
69% would consider changing their work industry if it offered “at least half” of the benefits they need to support their family.
For many parents, a career in tech is the answer: 12% of respondents said they currently work in tech, and of those, 61% believe that working in tech allows them to spend more time with their family than they did in their previous job.
Similarly, 81% of respondents would encourage other parents to consider a career in tech in order to access similar family-focused perks.
“When work takes up the majority of a parent's time in their day, it can be dangerously easy to prioritize work,” says Maggie Elentuk, vice president of communications and brand at TripleTen. “But that priority can mean missing out on important moments that no parent wants to miss. Parents have a right to spend as much time as possible with their kids, and we should support their focus on work.”
The survey results also revealed that 42% of parents believe they don't spend enough time with their children during regular working hours, and 58% have been asked by their children to spend more time with them.
More than half (56%) have been unable to attend an event involving their children due to work commitments.
Nearly all parents (96%) said they felt guilty about prioritizing work over their children and recalled missing activities like field trips (46%), sporting events (45%), parent-teacher meetings (38%) and meals (38%).
Four in five (82%) admitted to having to take time off work or leave work early so as not to miss an event involving their children.
A third have lied to their boss to get time off, and of those, 64% said they did so “without feeling guilty.”
“Modern workforce industries like tech have a lot to offer in terms of family support,” Maggie continues. “The tech industry is a prime example of what a good work-life balance can offer – where effective levels of productivity are possible during working hours, and where the workplace has the resources and infrastructure to ensure parents don't miss out on any moment of their children's lives.”
What are parents missing out on because of work?
Take part in a field trip – 46%
Sporting events – 45%
School interview/parent interview – 38%
Food – 38%
Sports practice – 37%
Family trip (day trip) – 32%
Celebration – 31%
Music recital/theater performance – 28%
Birthday Party – 17%
Family trip – 15%
vinegarResearch Methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American parents who have taken time off work to raise children. The survey was commissioned by TripleTen and administered online by Talker Research between July 9 and July 19, 2024.
