Retaining female talent most important issue in 2017, survey shows

LSBF
LSBF
Jul 27, 2017 · 2 min read

Research from My Family Care and Hydrogen has revealed the priorities and concerns of HR professionals when it comes to supporting working parents, with retaining female talent being found to be the most important issue for 2017.

The research surveyed 300 HR professionals and showed how they plan to help their members of staff, with employee helpline or assistance programmes, supporting flexible working, and encouraging unpaid parental leave or additional holiday purchase being amongst the most popular policies.

Priority

The research found that whilst flexible working and providing support to working parents and carers are important, retaining female talent after parental leave is also a top priority, cited by 70 per cent of respondents. However, 60 per cent of respondents said that their business does not provide training for new parents.

HR professionals also revealed their top initiatives for supporting families, with flexible working being found to be the most successful. This was followed by the Childcare Voucher Scheme, enhanced maternity pay or shared parental pay.

The research comes as the government looks to change the way in which support is provided for working parents, with Childcare Vouchers set to be replaced as part of the shift.

Changes

Commenting on the research, My Family Care Chief Executive Officer Ben Black said that almost three quarters of employers said that the issue of retaining female employees after parental leave was the most important, but surprisingly only 40 per cent said that they offered support for those going through the parental leave transition.

He said that businesses must realise that if they are going to attract and keep the top female employees who wish to have a career and a family, they have to make changes to help them.

He added that things are gradually changing, but they have to change a lot faster.

To read other stories about business, accountancy, finance and entrepreneurship, visit the LSBF blog.

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