Work-from-Home Trend Saves Parents $7,000 Annually and Reclaims 5 Extra Hours a Week

A recent survey of working parents reveals that nearly three-quarters (74%) would seek new employment if required to commute to a central office five days a week. This finding, from a study conducted by the International Workplace Group involving over 1,000 hybrid-working parents, highlights the growing importance of flexible work arrangements.

According to the survey, 83% of parents feel that hybrid working has made them better parents, with 89% noting that it has brought them closer to their children. Additionally, 92% report being more present in their children's lives, and 86% believe that their family's quality of life has improved as a result of the flexibility hybrid working offers.

A significant factor contributing to this increased family happiness is the reduction in lengthy commutes. The survey found that 84% of parents use the time saved from commuting to spend more time with their children, and 85% feel more involved in daily parenting tasks.

Hybrid work has also enabled parents to achieve a better work-life balance, with 90% of respondents indicating that they now have more time for family activities. This benefit is particularly noticeable in the mornings, with parents reporting more time for breakfast together (67%), preparing children for school (54%), and taking them to school (53%).

Furthermore, the flexibility of hybrid work allows parents to assist with homework (46%), have family dinners (49%), and attend significant milestones such as parent-teacher conferences (52%), family birthdays (48%), and school holidays (51%). On average, hybrid-working parents gain an additional five hours a week with their families, translating to 260 extra hours annually or an additional hour each workday. Nearly a quarter of parents...