Exploring Flexible Working & Flexible Childcare In Lower-Income Households

In partnership with Flexible Childcare Services Scotland (FCSS), Flexibility Works aims to explore working parents’ experiences of flexible working including the benefits and challenges they face.

This research also aims to explore the theory that having both a flexible employer and flexible childcare leads to positive outcomes at both the work and family levels. This is a small, exploratory project designed to engage workers in lower income families who use FCSS. Results from a short survey and one-to-one interviews provide evidence to inform future research projects and policy initiatives.

Key findings from the report suggest:

• A flexible childcare setting is vital for helping parents in lower income households to navigate the ongoing demands of paid work and childcare. It allows parents with unpredictable or fluctuating working patterns to find childcare that suits their individual needs, at the same time as minimising their childcare costs and maximising the time they spend with their children.

• Work flexibility and flexible childcare were key to helping parents in low income households, particularly women, remain in paid work after having children.

• Employers should focus on how they can better support employees whose work flexibility is limited due to the nature of their role, particularly those who work irregular shift patterns and who therefore experience additional challenges in organising childcare. 

  Download the report here: