The last 18 months have left many parents and carers feeling overwhelmed, anxious and irritable. The lines have been blurred between home and work, and juggling these two lives has been exhausting – parental burnout is real.
An Oxford university study this year found that levels of stress, anxiety and depression rose in parents and carers during the pandemic lockdowns. And the impact on working mums is particularly striking – 9 out of 10 working mothers say their mental health has been negatively impacted, with more than half of women with children ages 0-16 stating that balancing working from home and childcare had impacted their wellbeing.
So, as children return to – or start – school this week, can balance be restored? And how can workplaces be a source of support?
Understand that this is yet another transition and it’ll take some time to settle. It’s OK to take breaks to ease yourself in, and to do things that help you feel calm.
Keep talking to your manager/colleague to understand what worries, needs or adjustments might exist. What happens at home affects work, and vice versa, so setting some boundaries both at home and at work and communicating this can make a huge difference. After all, we aren’t superheroes – we can’t do it all!
Creating a culture where people can be themselves is just as important as having the right policies in place. As a manager, be mindful that people’s situations will differ, so keep having discussions around mental health and how your staff might be impacted at that moment.
Parenting alone is really hard work, particularly when you’re juggling work, too. It’s not uncommon for people to want to demonstrate they can do it all – perhaps your colleague is shielding work from their reality. As a manager, be compassionate.
Shift working patterns so parents can be there when it matters for their children, and equally, being mindful of meeting times can make a huge difference. If you’re thinking of organising a work social, consider what you can do to bring the whole family in – it can be really difficult and expensive to organise childcare – so being inclusive shows you care.
Online and offline, having a place to share experiences, tips and advice can have a hugely positive impact. Build a community of parents and carers in your organisation so staff know they’re never alone.
While everybody can have challenges in their lives, parents often face additional responsibilities and difficulties that can make their working lives harder. This web page suggests ways employers and managers can help parents in their organisation.
Parental burnout has been described as “an exhaustion syndrome, characterised by feeling physically and mentally overwhelmed” by being a parent. This article from The Guardian explores what it feels like to be a working parent.
Understanding your rights as a parent can help you to feel less stressed about the way you are treated at work. Working Families is a charity that can help you to gets to grips with employment rights and in-work benefits.
Understanding the unique pressures your staff face can help you tailor the support you provide for them. A Wellness Action Plan can help you and your staff have open conversations about how their personal lives might affect their work.
Many working parents might find themselves becoming 'sandwich carers' - that is, looking after both children and elderly relatives. This guide can help you talk to employees who are experiencing caring for an older or unwell loved one, and can help you build a culture supportive of their needs.
Sometimes, you might just need someone who can listen to you. The Samaritans helpline is available 24 hours a day, providing a one-to-one listening service for anyone experiencing distress.
