Notts businesses urged to offer flexible options to parent home-workers during lockdown

East Midlands Chamber’s director of resources Lucy Robinson has urged businesses to help ease the burden on parents forced to balance their job with childcare duties after schools were closed.

This may involve allowing employees to take longer or more breaks, with time made up at either end of the day.

Lucy said: “Playing around with hours can make a huge difference to the wellbeing and happiness of parents, so this should always be the first port of call for businesses.

“This means they could, for example, go for a two-hour walk at lunchtime to tire out their children and then return to their desk, where they don’t have to worry as much about keeping them occupied as they might do otherwise.

“Employers could also offer to shorten the week during the lockdown period so the employee either balances out the hours across the days they are working – or work fewer hours in total for a reduced wage only during this time.”

Lucy also urges businesses to be aware of the mental health issues that could arise from isolation, particularly for those who live alone.

A report in September found that 47 per cent of employers identified reduced staff mental wellbeing during home-working.

She said: “Another half a year on, this has likely only amplified and therefore it’s crucial that managers keep on top of this.”