Working parents’ ability to switch off from their work is being undermined by the rise of modern communications and the uptake of flexible working practices, with almost half agreeing the boundaries between home and the workplace have blurred, according to the most authoritative annual survey of working families in the UK.

The 2020 Modern Families Index claims that while over half of parents are working flexibly, badly designed jobs have left many parents struggling to cope with the competing demands of home and the workplace. The survey shows that substantial portions of the working population aren’t benefiting from work-life balance improvements – often struggling to reconcile the pressure to “go the extra mile”, unmanageable workloads and an “always on” culture with their need for family life and good health.

The Index, which surveys more than 3,000 parents from across the UK, has been published by work-life balance charity Working Families and Bright Horizons, the nursery and backup care provider, since 2012. This year’s survey coincides with the government’s plans to legislate to improve support for working families, following its commitments in December’s Queen’s Speech.

Family-friendly working ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’

The latest data suggests that half of working parents believe their employer cares about their work-life balance, an increase from 42 percent in 2015. More than half (55 percent) now enjoy flexible working hours or work from home. Millennial parents (those aged 35 or under) are leading the way, with 62 percent working flexibly – not only because of their childcare responsibilities but also to help manage their wellbeing and to pursue outside interests.