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The school summer holidays are on the horizon, and while that may bring joy to children, for working parents it can be a logistical nightmare. Amiqus’ Business Manager takes a look at what studios can do to help staff with caring responsibilities…
nyone with children – or those leaders with staff who have caring responsibilities – know that the long school summer holidays can be a tricky time. And, while wellness charity the Nuffield Foundation published a report earlier this year calling on the summer holidays to be shortened to improve the wellbeing and learning of children, until that time comes, July and August can be a difficult time for those juggling work and childcare. To that end, here are some thoughts on what studios can do to offer a helping hand that can benefit both employees and the business.
A FLEXIBLE WORKING
Perhaps the most obvious action to take is to offer flexible working arrangements for working parents during the holidays. And this can encompass various options: Allowing employees to work from home, even partially, frees them from childcare constraints during specific times. This can be particularly beneficial for parents with young children or those attending summer camps with flexible schedules. Condensing the working week into fewer days allows parents
to dedicate specific days to childcare. This can be structured as working longer hours for four days, granting a three-day weekend for family time.
Offering flexible start and finish times empowers parents to adjust their work schedules around childcare arrangements. This can be ideal for appointments, pick-ups, or early mornings needed for summer camp drop-offs.
While flexible working is something of a cornerstone when looking to support working parents, there are some additional options that studios could consider, namely: Partnering with local childcare providers can offer employees discounted rates or vouchers for holiday camps or programmes. This significantly reduces the financial burden of childcare. Encourage open communication around leave requests. Offering priority booking for summer holiday leave for parents with school-aged children demonstrates understanding and reduces scheduling conflicts. Compile and share a list of local summer camps, play schemes and activities for children. This can
empower parents to find suitable options and reduce their stress. Supporting parents during the summer holidays isn’t just about employee wellbeing; it benefits the studio as well: By offering flexible arrangements, parents are less likely to miss work due to childcare issues. Feeling valued and supported creates loyalty and reduces employee turnover. Knowing the company cares about their work-life balance boosts employee morale and satisfaction. Reduced stress and a better work-life balance leads to more focused and productive employees.
If you’d like to read more about how to support your staff who are parents, the Empower Up Platform has a whole section on Parenting, Childcare and Parents – from legal obligations to advice, news and case studies. Empower-Up is a pro bono joint venture between Amiqus and Ukie’s RaiseTheGame and is designed to make the games industry a more diverse and inclusive place. We’d love you to check it out at .
“Perhaps the most obvious action to take is to offer flexible working arrangements for working parents during the holidays.”
32 | MCV/DEVELOP June/July 2024
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