Global report on working parents

Working parents today contend with a distinctive set of pressures

Across the globe, working parents continue to manage the competing demands of work and childcare. With return-to-office mandates, rising inflation and higher living costs, the financial and emotional weight of childcare is becoming increasingly severe.

To investigate, 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 map the specific workplace challenges they face and pinpoint how employers worldwide can improve support. All respondents worked white collar \"desk jobs” and have at least one child under five years old. Each region's respondents were evenly split between fully remote, hybrid and in-office working arrangements.

Findings on global parental leave policy

Our analysis shows notable regional differences in how working arrangements — fully remote, hybrid, or fully in-office — shape finances, career choices and overall work-life balance. It also identifies the areas where employers and communities can have the greatest impact in giving working parents the best possible opportunity to succeed in the workplace.

Belgium working parents overview

Belgian working parents increasingly prefer flexible working arrangements, yet our survey indicates employers are slow to adapt. As Belgian firms recruit to grow, limited support for remote working continues to be a constraint.

Remote’s survey of 617 Belgian working parents found that 71% would consider leaving their job if remote work options were tightened. This underlines the need for more flexible policies to help parents manage both career and family responsibilities.

Respondents reported spending roughly €700 per week on childcare costs — covering daycare, transport and babysitting — a figure notably higher than nearby France, where the average weekly cost is €492.

Principal findings include:

• Impact of return-to-office mandates: 73% of parents reported they had considered quitting their job or had encouraged their partner to do so because balancing childcare during working hours became too onerous.

• Negative feedback at work: Over two-thirds (77%) of parents said they received negative feedback or were reprimanded for taking unplanned time off to care for a sick child or when daycare facilities closed.

• Seeking a better balance: 82% of parents are considering reducing their working hours to better balance family time, childcare costs and paid work.

These results underline the immediate need for improved work-life balance measures to support Belgian working parents. Only 26% of respondents say they are fully satisfied with their current childcare arrangements, emphasising the demand for more adaptable work options.

Select another region

Analysis of working parents in Finland

As Finnish firms contend with a persistent skilled labour shortage, better support for working parents may help. Remote’s survey of 601 Finnish parents, however, shows many feel pressured by the need to balance work and family life.

Most parents (80%) report feeling guilty or anxious when they ask for time off to deal with childcare. In numerous instances that concern appears justified: 55% say they have experienced discrimination or believe they were passed over for promotions or opportunities at work because they are a working parent.

Other key findings include:

• Higher costs and reduced pay: 75% of parents have accepted pay reductions or cut their hours because childcare options are limited. The same proportion believe additional in-office days would raise their expenses.

• Discrimination at work: 55% of parents report feeling discriminated against or passed over for promotion, while 74% say they have been criticised for taking unplanned leave to look after their children.

• Harm caused by return-to-office policies: 77% of parents report that post-COVID return-to-office measures introduced by their employers have affected them adversely, with over 70% considering quitting if required to increase their office days.

Despite these challenges, 87% of respondents recognise that their employers support flexible working, which helps manage childcare responsibilities. The survey also highlights the need for stronger legal protections, with 82% urging legislative change.

Select another region

France: working parents analysis

Despite government measures to support working parents, many in France still face high childcare costs and rigid workplace policies. Remote’s survey of 1,002 parents highlights the need for change to help balance family and work responsibilities. The financial burden is significant: French parents spend an average of €493 per week on childcare-related costs such as daycare, transport and babysitting. This forces many families to cut essential spending, with 74% reporting reductions in healthcare, groceries or utilities, and 80% saying more in-office days would further raise 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.

Other notable findings include:

• The impact of workplace policies on family life: 71% of parents report negative effects linked to mandatory return-to-office policies. Nearly the same proportion (70.5%) say they have encouraged their partner to leave their job to handle childcare duties, and 64.5% have considered resigning themselves.

• Need for flexibility and discrimination concerns: 73% of parents have put forward requests for flexible working arrangements to their employers. In addition, more than half report feeling discriminated against or passed over for promotion because of their parental status.

The survey further indicates that 86% of respondents consider stronger laws and regulations necessary to support working parents, and 81% think the government should increase funding for childcare centres and offer subsidised options.

Select another region

Germany: working parents analysis

Although policymakers continue to debate and enact part-time and flexible work measures to address the country’s skills shortage, many German parents face a very different reality. Remote’s survey of 1,507 German parents shows a clear gap in support. ‘Fake flexibility’ persists

The survey shows that while 84% feel employers support flexible work in principle, deeper issues remain:

• 71% of German parents say they have been subject to 'fake flexibility' from employers, citing promises of remote work or flexible hours that did not materialise.

• 79% said they were passed over for promotions or other opportunities at work because they are working parents.

• 76% reported negative effects from return-to-office policies, and 92% would consider changing jobs if required to increase their time in the office.

• 76% said they felt guilty or anxious when requesting time off to meet childcare needs.

• 69% reported being reprimanded or receiving negative feedback after taking unplanned time off to care for a sick child or because daycare was closed.

Additionally, 70% of respondents said they had encouraged their partner to quit or reduce hours because of childcare challenges, and 76% reported they themselves accepted a pay cut or cut their hours for the same reason.

Flexibility now the top priority for parents

Working parents reported that when selecting an employer, flexibility now ranks as their primary consideration:

• Flexible working hours (35%)

• Job security (28%)

• Pay (28%)

• Childcare services/stipend (26.4%)

• Remote working policies (26.1%)

Government and policy actions required

Despite recent guarantees of childcare after 12 months, many parents still struggle to find suitable care. In the survey 70% have encouraged their partner to quit, 76% have taken a pay cut or reduced hours, and 78% want the government to do more to support childcare facilities with additional places and better provisions. Additionally, 83% want laws that better enable flexible work models for working parents.

Select another region

Analysis of Hong Kong working parents

A survey by Remote of 1,002 working parents in Hong Kong shows a clear demand for flexible working setups to juggle career and parenting responsibilities. The findings indicate that arrangements such as hybrid or fully remote work are valued by Hong Kong working parents even more than improved job prospects or a 10% salary increase. Key findings include:

Backing for flexible work A notable 86% of working parents state that fully remote roles support their mental health the most, and 74% say hybrid arrangements also have a beneficial effect. However, almost 87% report being offered “fake flexibility” despite employers saying they have flexible work policies. Over 43% of working parents worry that asking for flexible arrangements could cost them their jobs, highlighting the need for employers to implement and accept flexible work in a meaningful way.

Implementation challenges: Although 42.1% report their employers have put flexible working arrangements in place, 88.9% feel passed over for promotions or other opportunities because they are working parents. In addition, 87.6% have thought about resigning due to the lack of affordable childcare during working hours.

Impact on job decisions: Childcare’s financial and emotional strain is clear: 88.8% report they have accepted a pay cut or reduced their working hours because affordable childcare was not available. Moreover, 87% of working parents experience guilt and anxiety when they request time off to care for their children.

Select another region

Netherlands: analysis of working parents

Although many Dutch companies are recruiting to expand, Remote’s survey of 1,007 shows working parents face barriers to participation. Over 71% would consider leaving if remote options tightened, and nearly 19% encountered resistance when requesting flexible arrangements. Seventy-six per cent are thinking about reducing hours to balance family time, childcare costs and work.

Childcare costs are a major issue in the Netherlands, with average spending around €723 per week — significantly higher than in France, where the weekly average is €492.

Other notable findings from the survey are:

• Effect of return-to-office policies: 65% of working parents had considered quitting their job, or had urged their partner to do the same, owing to mounting pressure from return-to-office policies.

• Adverse workplace feedback: 68% of parents said they received negative feedback or were reprimanded after taking unscheduled time off to care for a sick child or because of daycare closures.

Only 28% of respondents say they are completely satisfied with their current childcare arrangements, while the majority want improvements or substantial change. Flexible working arrangements rank second only to salary when selecting a job, with men prioritising job security and commute length, and women placing greater emphasis on flexibility.

Select another region

Analysis of working parents in Singapore

Remote’s survey of 1,000 working parents in Singapore highlights how flexible work arrangements affect family planning and the balance between work and home life. With Singapore’s historically low birth rate becoming a national concern, 89.7% of working parents report that flexible working arrangements would increase their likelihood of having additional children. With the Government set to implement the Tripartite Guidelines for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) by the end of the year, employers’ role in supporting working parents and helping to raise the birth rate is more important than ever. Key findings include:

Employer support for flexible work

With nearly nine in ten parents saying they would consider having more children if employers provided greater flexibility, the survey highlights how crucial employer policies are to family planning. It also found that 81% of working parents agree that flexible, remote and hybrid arrangements help balance career and parenting responsibilities.

Implementation challenges

Although 56.4% of respondents said their employers accepted their flexible working arrangement requests, 82.1% report they were given “fake flexibility.” This points to a clear gap between policy and everyday practice and underlines the need for stronger implementation of flexible work policies.

Effect on job decisions

The financial and emotional burdens of childcare have led 82.8% to consider leaving their jobs because of a lack of affordable childcare during working hours. In addition, 87.3% would consider quitting if forced to work more days in the office, emphasising flexibility’s role in retaining talent.

Select another region

South Korea working parents review

In South Korea, balancing career and parenting remains a major challenge. Remote’s survey of 1,005 white-collar workers highlights the acute need for flexible working arrangements to help parents manage childcare, schooling and other family duties.

For working parents in South Korea, flexible work arrangements are not merely a preference but a necessary condition for remaining in their roles while juggling childcare, school and other family commitments.

• 44% of respondents said flexible working arrangements are essential to their choice to stay in their job.

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

• Almost three in four parents (72%) said return-to-office policies harmed their work–life balance, and men were slightly more likely to have changed jobs because of these policies — 37% versus 32% for women.

Financial pressure shapes major life choices for working parents.

• 58% of parents have thought about leaving their jobs because inadequate flexibility at work affects their childcare arrangements.

• Women are particularly impacted: 35% are likely to cut their working hours to better manage childcare, compared with 25% of men.

• Remote workers indicate the greatest ability to balance work and family without financial compromise, with only 28% saying they need to adjust their childcare budget, versus 45% of in‑office workers.

Childcare expenses remain a central consideration for working parents.

• Although 36% of respondents work primarily to cover childcare costs, Remote employees are less likely to name childcare as their main career driver — 30% — compared with 35% for hybrid and 40% for in‑office staff, implying remote roles can better support balancing childcare costs with career aims.

• 39% of men versus 34% of women report working mainly to make childcare affordable, indicating that both mothers and fathers shoulder similar financial responsibility for childcare.

Select another region

Analysis of working parents in Spain

Remote’s survey of 1,002 Spanish working parents shows that flexible hours and remote work policies now rank alongside compensation as primary job priorities, signalling a shift in how work–life balance is organised and valued.

When choosing a job, 42.42% of Spanish parents prioritise flexible working hours, followed by pay at 41.82% and remote policies at 25.75%. Flexible hours outrank location-based flexibility, showing a preference for adaptable schedules. Flexible work is so important that 49.47% would consider leaving if required in-office days increased; notably, 19.41% would contemplate resigning even without another job lined up. 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.

Further findings include:

• Support for flexible work: A notable 80.24% of workers in Spain report that their employers fully support flexible working and provide assistance to organise childcare around the workday. Of those using flexible patterns, 27.45% say it improves their ability to manage household responsibilities, while 27.15% consider it helps them be more present for their children when required.

• Acceptance of flexible work proposals: More than 68% of respondents have requested flexible work arrangements from their employers; however, only 43% report that those proposals were accepted.

Although current regulations aim to assist parents, 84.23% of respondents believe national laws governing flexible work should be improved. In addition, 74.15% state that, despite existing childcare support, it is often difficult to access.

Select another region

Sweden: analysis of working parents

As return-to-office mandates rise and calls for greater flexibility grow, Swedish working parents face real challenges balancing work and family. Remote’s survey of 602 Swedish parents highlights the importance of flexible conditions and how inflexible policies harm everyday family life.

In the survey, 80% of parents reported agreeing to a pay reduction or reducing their working hours to better balance childcare and work, and 83% said they had considered cutting their hours to 80%. Although Sweden's childcare costs remain comparatively low, rigid workplace policies and unsupportive employer attitudes substantially affect parents' mental wellbeing and career progression. Additional key findings:

• Mental health impact: 80.56% report feeling guilt or anxiety when requesting time off for childcare, and 79.40% say they have been reprimanded for taking unplanned leave to care for a sick child.

• Experiences of discrimination: 71.43% of parents say they feel discriminated against or have been overlooked for promotions because of their parental status.

• Return-to-office policies: 80% indicate return-to-office mandates have negatively affected them, with nearly 80% (79.40%) reporting they were offered "fake flexibility" or empty promises of remote work and flex-time.

Almost 70% of respondents believed small adjustments could improve their current arrangements, with flexible working a top priority for many parents. The survey also shows that 82.39% of parents think stronger laws and regulations are needed to support flexible working, and 78.57% have submitted flexible working requests, most of which were accepted.

In other countries such as Finland, France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and the US, generous parental leave is a high priority when job hunting—between 15% – 26% of respondents regard it as most important. By contrast, in Sweden this option receives 0% preference.

Select another region

United Kingdom working parents: analysis

With the UK facing a widening skills gap, working parents represent a crucial but underused talent pool. Remote’s survey of 1,501 mums and dads reveals that, despite government programmes, UK working parents still encounter barriers to taking part fully in the workforce.

More than two-thirds (70%) of working parents in the UK said they have quit or are considering quitting their job because affordable childcare options are lacking. Financial strain is significant; more than half of working parents report paying over £1600 per month for childcare, which is 25% higher than the average rent in England.

Other principal findings from the survey include:

• Job dissatisfaction and personal sacrifices: 73% have accepted a pay reduction or cut their hours because childcare is unaffordable, and 70% have stayed in an unhappy job to cover childcare costs.

• Negative workplace experiences: 63% of working parents report being reprimanded or receiving negative feedback at work after taking unplanned time off because their child was sick. Three quarters of respondents felt guilty or anxious about taking time off for childcare needs, with working mothers (78%) more likely to feel guilty about unplanned childcare-related absences than working fathers (68%).

Despite the Flexible Work Act coming into force in April, false promises of flexible and remote work persist. In the survey, 65% reported being offered ‘fake flexibility’, causing unexpected childcare costs. Return-to-office mandates worry many: 73% fear childcare expenses would rise if required to attend the office more days.

When considering a job, flexible working hours are the top priority for working parents: 37% prioritising flexible work, 35% prioritising pay, and 25% prioritising job security.

Select another region

United States working parents analysis

In the United States, the promise of flexibility via remote and hybrid models suggests improved balance for parents. Yet Remote’s survey of 2,001 working parents reveals a different reality: amid rising inflation and living costs, managing a career— even with some flexibility—alongside young children remains highly challenging.

The promises vs. realities of hybrid work

Survey results indicate hybrid working — often touted as the ideal mix of remote and office time — regularly fails to live up to expectations, with hybrid employees experiencing some of the most severe pressures.

• Hybrid workers record the highest dissatisfaction with work–life balance at 34%, surpassing in-office (31%) and remote workers (29%).

• Almost two in five hybrid workers (39.8%) report cutting their hours or accepting pay reductions because childcare costs during work hours have risen sharply, compared with 31.3% of remote and 30.6% of in‑office parents.

• 21.8% of hybrid workers would like to work from home more often to better manage childcare but find their schedules too inflexible, nearly matching the 23.2% of fully in‑office workers who report the same constraints.

The financial and emotional toll of work ‘flexibility’

Nearly one in three families now spend more than $900 weekly on childcare during work hours, pushing parents into tough choices to manage the financial and emotional pressure of juggling work and family.

• 40.2% of hybrid and 38.7% of remote working parents report cutting back on essentials, including groceries, healthcare visits and utilities, to afford childcare during work hours. In‑office workers are slightly lower at 36.4%.

• 38% of remote and 37% of hybrid parents say they have encouraged their partners to quit paid work to handle childcare, a course of action less common among in‑office workers (28.8%).

• Despite stated flexibility, a striking 77.9% of remote and 71.8% of hybrid working parents report missing important family moments, such as tucking children into bed, at least three days a week on average because of work—higher than the 68.8% of in‑office parents who report the same.

Family planning pressures: a universal challenge

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

• Nearly one in five parents across all work models have considered sending their young children to school earlier to manage high childcare costs, highlighting a shared challenge regardless of work arrangement.

• Nearly one in four parents have delayed or are reconsidering having more children because of job demands, with the smallest effect among remote workers (22% remote vs. 25% hybrid and 27% in‑office), suggesting remote roles may offer greater confidence in balancing career and family despite financial pressures.

Select another region

Key takeaways

The survey data underline the need for tailored, flexible workplace policies that reflect the diverse circumstances of working parents globally. By drawing out similarities and differences across countries, Remote seeks to encourage discussion and policy changes that create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for parents worldwide.