Report on global working parents

Today’s working parents face a unique set of pressures

Working parents across the globe are still navigating the challenge of balancing job duties with raising children. With return-to-office mandates, rising inflation and higher living costs worldwide, the financial and emotional weight of childcare has intensified.

To explore these issues, Remote ran a global survey of 13,850 working parents across 13 regions — the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, and South Korea — to identify the workplace challenges they encounter and how employers worldwide can better support them. All participants held white collar "desk jobs" and had at least one child under five years old. Respondents in each region were evenly divided among fully remote, hybrid, and in-office work arrangements.

Global parental leave policy findings

Our analysis exposes wide differences in how fully remote, hybrid, and fully in-office setups affect finances, career choices, and overall work–life balance across regions. It also highlights where employers and communities can most effectively act to give working parents a fair chance to thrive at work.

Belgium working parents analysis

Working parents in Belgium are increasingly seeking flexible schedules, yet our survey shows employers are slow to meet those needs. As many Belgian firms recruit to grow their teams, inadequate support for remote work remains a barrier.

Remote’s survey of 617 Belgian working parents found that 71% would think about leaving their job if options for remote work were tightened. This underscores the urgent requirement for more adaptable workplace policies to help parents juggle job and family duties.

The survey highlights the financial and logistical strain on Belgian parents: on average they reported spending about €700 per week on childcare-related costs, which cover daycare, transport, and babysitting. This average is notably higher than nearby France, where the weekly figure is €492.

Key findings include:

• Impact of return-to-office policies: Seventy-three percent of parents have thought about quitting or encouraged their partner to quit because managing childcare during work hours has become too difficult.

• Negative workplace feedback: More than two thirds (77%) reported receiving negative comments or reprimands after taking unplanned time off to care for a sick child or due to daycare closures.

• Seeking balance: Eighty-two percent of parents are thinking about reducing their hours to better manage family time, childcare costs, and work commitments.

These results underline the pressing need for better work–life balance measures to support Belgian working parents. Only 26% of respondents say they are completely satisfied with their current childcare arrangements, highlighting demand for more flexible solutions.

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Finland working parents analysis

With Finnish businesses facing a chronic skilled labour shortage, better support for working parents could help address the issue. Yet Remote’s survey of 601 Finnish parents shows many feel stressed trying to balance work and family life.

A majority of parents (80%) said they’ve felt guilty or anxious when asking for time off for childcare needs. In many cases this may be justified, with 55% reporting they felt discriminated against or believe they were passed over for promotions or opportunities at work because they are parents.

Additional key findings include:

• Increased costs and pay cuts: Seventy-five percent of parents have accepted pay cuts or reduced hours because of limited childcare options. The same proportion feel that more mandatory office days would raise their costs.

• Workplace discrimination: Fifty-five percent of parents feel discriminated against or overlooked for promotions, and 74% have received negative feedback for taking unplanned time off to care for their children.

• Negative impact of return-to-office policies: Seventy-seven percent of parents said their employer’s post-COVID return-to-office rules have affected them negatively, and over 70% would consider resigning if required to work more office days.

Despite these difficulties, 87% of participants acknowledge that their employer supports flexible work, which is vital for managing childcare. The survey also highlights the need for stronger laws and regulations to support working parents, with 82% calling for legislative improvements.

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France working parents analysis

Despite government efforts, many French parents still struggle with high childcare costs and rigid workplace policies. Remote’s survey of 1,002 parents highlights the need for changes to help them balance work and family. The financial burden is significant—parents spend an average of €493 per week on daycare, transport and babysitting. As a result, 74% reported cutting essential expenses such as healthcare, groceries and utilities to afford childcare, and 80% said increased in-office work would further raise their childcare costs. The financial burden of childcare is a major issue facing French parents, who spend an average of €493 per week on related costs, such as daycare, transportation, and babysitting. This expense forces many families to make difficult financial decisions, impacting their overall quality of life. In the survey, 74% of parents reported cutting back on essential expenses like healthcare, groceries, and utilities to afford childcare. Additionally, 80% indicated that increased in-office work would further raise their childcare costs.

Additional key findings include:

• The impact of workplace policies on family life: Seventy-one percent of parents say mandatory return-to-office rules have negatively affected them. Nearly as many (70.5%) reported encouraging their partner to leave work to manage childcare, and 64.5% have thought about resigning themselves.

• Need for flexibility and discrimination concerns: Seventy-three percent of parents have requested flexible working arrangements, and over half report feeling discriminated against or overlooked for promotions because they are parents.

The survey also shows that 86% of respondents believe more robust laws are needed to support working parents, and 81% think the government should increase funding for childcare centres and subsidised care options.

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Germany working parents analysis

Despite policy debates and measures promoting part-time and flexible work to tackle skills shortages, many German parents still face difficulties. Remote’s survey of 1,507 German parents points to a clear need for stronger support. ‘Fake flexibility’ persists

Although 84% of respondents said their employer supports flexible work arrangements that allow childcare to be scheduled around the working day, the data reveals notable shortcomings:

• Seventy-one percent of German parents reported experiencing 'fake flexibility', including promises of remote work or flexible hours that did not materialise.

• Seventy-nine percent felt they were overlooked for promotions or opportunities because they are working parents.

• Seventy-six percent have been adversely affected by return-to-office policies, and 92% would consider changing jobs if forced to return to the office more often.

• Seventy-six percent reported feeling guilty or anxious when taking time off for childcare needs.

• Sixty-nine percent received reprimands or negative feedback for taking unplanned leave to care for a sick child or because of daycare closures.

Additionally, 70% encouraged their partner to quit or reduce hours because of childcare demands, and 76% have taken pay cuts or cut work hours themselves for the same reason.

Flexibility is now parents’ top priority

Survey participants indicated that flexibility ranks first among factors they consider when selecting an employer:

• Flexible working hours (35%)

• Job security (28%)

• Pay (28%)

• Childcare services/stipend (26.4%)

• Remote working policies (26.1%)

Government and policy needs

Despite recent measures guaranteeing childcare after 12 months, many parents still struggle to secure suitable care. In the survey, 70% said they had encouraged their partner to quit, 76% had accepted pay cuts or reduced hours, and 78% think the government must do more to support childcare services and increase available spaces. Additionally, 83% want legislation that better enables flexible work models for working parents.

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Hong Kong working parents analysis

Remote’s survey of 1,002 Hong Kong working parents underscores the acute demand for flexible work options to balance jobs and parenting. The findings show that arrangements like hybrid or remote work are valued more highly than career prospects or a 10% pay increase. Key findings include:

Support for flexible work A substantial 86% agree that full-time remote work benefits their mental health most, while 74% say hybrid arrangements also have a positive impact. However, nearly 87% feel they were offered "fake flexibility" despite formal policies. More than 43% are anxious that requesting flexible arrangements could risk their job, underscoring the need for better implementation and acceptance by employers. More than 43% of working parents feel anxious that requesting flexible work arrangements could lead to job loss, underscoring the need for better implementation and acceptance of flexible work policies by employers.

Challenges in implementation: Although 42.1% of respondents reported that employers have introduced flexible working arrangements, 88.9% feel overlooked for promotion or other opportunities because they are parents. Moreover, 87.6% have considered quitting due to a shortage of affordable childcare during working hours.

Impact on job decisions: The financial and emotional toll of childcare is clear: 88.8% have taken pay cuts or reduced hours because affordable childcare is unavailable, and 87% feel guilty and anxious when taking time off to care for their children.

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Netherlands working parents analysis

As many Dutch companies expand and recruit, working parents still face barriers to full participation in the labour market. Remote’s survey of 1,007 found that over 71% of Dutch parents would consider leaving if remote-work options were restricted, and nearly 19% encountered resistance when requesting flexible arrangements. Seventy-six percent are contemplating reducing hours to better balance family time, childcare costs and work responsibilities.

As in many countries, Dutch parents report that childcare costs are a major concern, with average spending around €723 per week. That is substantially higher than in some other places, such as France, where the average weekly cost is €492.

Additional key findings from the survey include:

• Impact of return-to-office policies: Sixty-five percent of working parents considered leaving their job or urged their partner to do so because of pressure from return-to-office mandates.

• Negative workplace feedback: Sixty-eight percent of parents reported receiving negative feedback or reprimands for taking unplanned time off to care for a sick child or because of daycare closures.

Only 28% of respondents are fully satisfied with their childcare arrangements, with most parents seeking notable improvements. Flexible working arrangements rank second only to salary when choosing a job, with men emphasising job security and commute time, while women place greater weight on flexibility.

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Singapore working parents analysis

Remote’s survey of 1,000 Singapore working parents shows how flexible work arrangements influence family planning and work–life balance. With Singapore’s historically low birth rate becoming a national priority, 89.7% of working parents say more flexible working would increase their likelihood of having additional children. As the Government prepares to roll out the Tripartite Guidelines for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) by year-end, employers’ role in supporting parents and influencing birth rates is increasingly important. Key findings include:

Support for flexible work

With nearly nine in ten parents saying flexible working would make them more likely to have another child, the survey highlights the significant influence employers have over family planning decisions. It also found that 81% of working parents agree that flexible, remote, and hybrid work options are most helpful for juggling career and parenting responsibilities.

Challenges in implementation

Although 56.4% said employers accepted their flexible working requests, 82.1% reported being offered ‘fake flexibility’. This gap between policy and practice points to a need for better enforcement and follow-through.

Impact on job decisions

Childcare’s financial and emotional burdens have prompted 82.8% of respondents to consider quitting due to a lack of affordable care during working hours. Additionally, 87.3% thought about leaving their jobs if asked to work more days in the office, underscoring the role of flexible work in retaining staff.

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South Korea working parents analysis

In South Korea, balancing career and parenting continues to present major challenges. Remote’s survey of 1,005 white-collar workers highlights the critical need for flexible working arrangements.

Flexibility in work arrangements is not just a preference but a crucial factor for job retention among South Korean working parents, to enable them to balance childcare, school, and other family responsibilities.

• Forty-four percent of respondents said flexible working arrangements are essential for their decision to remain in their job.

• Remote workers reported the highest satisfaction with their work–life balance at 65%, compared with 58% for hybrid and 49% for in-office workers.

• Nearly three in four parents (72%) said return-to-office mandates harmed their work–life balance, and men reported slightly higher rates of job switching due to these policies (37% men vs. 32% women).

Financial strain influences significant life decisions for working parents.

• Fifty-eight percent of parents have thought about leaving their jobs because limited work flexibility makes childcare unmanageable.

• Women are particularly affected: 35% say they are likely to reduce hours to manage childcare, compared with 25% of men.

• Remote workers report the greatest ability to balance work and family without cutting the budget: only 28% say they had to rework their household finances for childcare, versus 45% of in-office workers.

Childcare costs are a key consideration for working parents.

• While 36% of respondents work primarily to afford childcare, remote workers view childcare as a less dominant career driver at 30%, compared with 35% for hybrid and 40% for in-office workers, suggesting remote roles may better help balance childcare costs with career goals.

• Thirty-nine percent of men versus 34% of women work primarily to make childcare affordable, indicating mothers and fathers share similar financial responsibility perceptions for childcare needs.

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Spain working parents analysis

Remote’s survey of 1,002 Spanish working parents shows that flexible working hours and remote-work policies have become top priorities alongside pay. This shift reflects a broader move toward adaptable work–life models, with flexibility now a non-negotiable requirement for many.

When choosing a job, 42.42% of Spanish working parents prioritise flexible working hours, followed by pay at 41.82%, and remote-working policies at 25.75%. Flexibility in hours now matters more than remote work alone. Flexible arrangements are so important that 49.47% would consider leaving if required to be in the office more days, and 19.41% would contemplate resigning even without another job lined up, underscoring flexibility’s central role. Flexible work is so crucial that 49.47% of respondents would consider leaving their job if the number of required in-office days increased. Notably, 19.41% would contemplate resigning even without having another job secured, underscoring the importance of flexibility in their professional lives.

Additional findings include:

• Support for flexible work:A substantial 80.24% of Spanish respondents say their employers fully support flexible working, helping them arrange childcare around the workday. Among those with flexible patterns, 27.45% report improved ability to manage household duties, while 27.15% feel they can be more present for their children’s needs.

• Acceptance of flexible work proposals: More than 68% have requested flexible working arrangements, but just 43% say those proposals were accepted.

Although regulations aim to help parents, 84.23% believe national laws on flexible work should be strengthened. Furthermore, 74.15% say childcare support exists but remains hard to access.

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Sweden working parents analysis

As return-to-office mandates rise and calls for greater flexibility grow louder, Swedish working parents face mounting challenges in balancing work and family. Remote’s survey of 602 Swedish parents highlights how crucial flexible work is and the toll that inflexibility takes on daily life.

In the survey, 80% of parents said they accepted a pay cut or reduced hours to better balance childcare and work, and 83% have considered cutting hours to 80%. Despite Sweden’s comparatively low childcare fees, inflexible workplace rules and negative employer attitudes still undermine parents’ mental health and career advancement. Additional key findings:

• Mental health impact: Eighty point five six percent feel guilty or anxious when requesting time off for childcare, and 79.40% have been reprimanded for taking unplanned time off to care for a sick child.

• Experiences of discrimination: Seventy-one point four three percent of parents feel discriminated against or passed over for promotions because of their parental status.

• Return-to-office policies: Eighty percent report that return-to-office mandates have harmed them, and nearly 80% (79.40%) say they were offered "fake flexibility" or empty promises of remote or flex-time.

Almost 70% of respondents believe modest adjustments could improve their situation, with flexible working a top priority. The survey also finds that 82.39% want stronger laws to support flexible work, and 78.57% have submitted flexible working requests, most of which were accepted.

In other countries such as Finland, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States, generous parental leave policies rank highly when job hunting—between 15% and 26% of respondents cite them as most important. In Sweden, however, this option received zero percent preference.

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United Kingdom working parents analysis

As the UK tackles a growing skills gap, working parents are an essential but underused resource. Remote’s survey of 1,501 mothers and fathers reveals that despite government measures, UK parents still face hurdles to fully engaging in the workforce.

More than two thirds (70%) of UK working parents said they have quit or considered quitting because childcare is unaffordable. Financial strain is significant, with over half reporting childcare costs exceeding £1,600 per month — about 25% more than average rent in England.

Additional key findings from the survey include:

• Job dissatisfaction and sacrifices: Seventy-three percent have accepted pay cuts or reduced hours due to unaffordable childcare, and 70% have remained in unhappy jobs to afford childcare.

• Negative workplace experiences: Sixty-three percent say they have been reprimanded or given negative feedback for taking unplanned time off due to a child’s illness. Three quarters felt guilty or anxious about taking childcare leave, with mothers (78%) more likely than fathers (68%) to report feeling guilty for unplanned absences.

Even with the Flexible Work Act coming into effect in April, broken promises of flexible and remote work continue to affect parents. In the survey, 65% said they had been offered ‘fake flexibility’, which has led to unexpected childcare costs. Return-to-office mandates are a key concern, with 73% fearing childcare costs would increase if required to be in the office more often.

Flexible working hours top the list of priorities for parents when considering a role: 37% prioritise flexible work, 35% prioritise pay, and 25% prioritise job security.

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United States working parents analysis

In the United States, flexible models like remote and hybrid work promised better balance for parents. Remote’s survey of 2,001 working parents across the country, however, reveals that managing a career alongside young children remains complex amid rising inflation and higher living costs.

The promises versus the realities of hybrid work

The data show that hybrid models, often promoted as the ideal mix of remote and office work, frequently fall short—hybrid workers face some of the toughest challenges.

• Hybrid workers report the highest dissatisfaction with work–life balance at 34%, compared with 31% for in‑office and 29% for remote workers.

• Nearly two in five hybrid workers (39.8%) said they have had to cut hours or accept pay reductions due to rising childcare costs during working hours, versus 31.3% of remote and 30.6% of in-office parents.

• Twenty-one point eight percent of hybrid workers want to work from home more often to better handle childcare but find schedules too rigid, nearly matching the 23.2% of fully in‑office workers with similar constraints.

The financial and emotional toll of work ‘flexibility’

Nearly one in three families spend more than $900 weekly on childcare during work hours, forcing parents to make tough financial and emotional choices to juggle work and family.

• Forty point two percent of hybrid and 38.7% of remote parents reported cutting spending on essentials like groceries, healthcare visits, and utilities to afford childcare during working hours. In‑office workers reported 36.4% doing the same.

• Thirty-eight percent of remote and 37% of hybrid parents say they encouraged their partners to quit to handle childcare, compared with 28.8% of in‑office workers.

• Despite promises of flexibility, 77.9% of remote and 71.8% of hybrid parents report missing important family moments, such as bedtime routines, at least three days a week on average — higher than the 68.8% of in‑office parents reporting the same.

Family planning pressures: A universal challenge

Across work models, one constant is clear: it is both costly and difficult to be a working parent in the United States.

• Nearly one in five parents across all work models have contemplated sending young children to school earlier to cope with childcare costs, highlighting a common challenge across different working arrangements.

• Almost one in four parents have postponed or reconsidered having more children because of job demands, with the least impact among remote workers (22% remote vs. 25% hybrid and 27% in‑office), suggesting remote roles may offer more confidence in balancing career and family despite financial pressures.

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Conclusion

The findings from this extensive survey emphasise the need for tailored, flexible workplace policies that reflect the diverse circumstances of working parents worldwide. By outlining shared challenges and regional differences, Remote intends to stimulate discussion and encourage policy reforms that make workplaces more inclusive and supportive for parents everywhere.