Lockdown lessons: work and relationships
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Jane Amphlett | Partner, Head of Employment
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Lois Langton | Partner, Head of Family
Survey respondentI believe that a strong work-life balance is the responsibility of the employer as well as the employee, and should be given more weight as part of employment packages.
Quality time with your partner
Head of Family Law, Lois Langton comments; "Greater proximity and time together has accelerated relationship progression. The family team has been as busy supporting new expressions of commitment and parenthood as it has been advising on breakdown, separation and divorce. The stages are the same but people are reaching them sooner."
Work-life balance
Of our respondents, 35% of those in committed relationships stated that the Coronavirus pandemic has had a positive impact on their work-life balance. This included parents, with 37% saying that their work-life balance was positively impacted by lockdown as opposed to 26% without children.
Only 20% of respondents stated that their general work-life balance was negatively impacted by lockdown.
Fixed working from home days
While 55% of respondents want fixed working from home days, age is a factor. 65% of the younger generation (aged 18-24) are keen for their employers to provide more fixed working from home days. In comparison, just 50% of the 55+ generation wanted the same - although it's worth noting that this age group will include retired former workers.
More flexible working patterns
A conclusive 67% of respondents said they thought employers should provide more flexible working patterns.
We also looked at regional difference and adults based in London were among the highest with 73% of employees suggesting employers should provide flexible working patterns e.g. allowing early/ late starts, extended break periods etc.
Help with childcare
In terms of how positively or negatively lockdown had impacted childcare, the results were low: 5% positive, 6% negative and 80% don't know/not applicable.
For parents of children 4 years and under where 35% stated that lockdown had had a negative impact, and 28% for parents of the 5 to 11 year age group. This may explain why 35% felt that employers should do more to help with childcare.
Jane Amphlett, Head of employmentEmployers have had to demonstrate incredible empathy, agility and resilience this year. Our clients are now looking to the future and we are working with them to ensure they have the policies, decision making tools and frameworks in place to adapt and enhance their ability to attract and retain staff as the 'new normal' becomes business as usual.