More than a quarter (28%) of single parents and 23% of parents with a disability have been refused flexible working, according to new research by Pregnant Then Screwed.
The organisation released its data, which is based on answers from 5,245 UK mothers, in partnership with Women in Data.
It found that single parents have seen a 109% rise in flexible working requests being denied, and parents with a disability a 65% increase. A total of 14% of all mothers who ask for more flexible working have been turned down.
Single parents are less likely to ask for flexible working, yet when they do ask, they are denied nearly twice as often. One in 10 parents who ask for more flexible working are told no.
A total of 8% of single parents were forced to leave the workforce and 30% saw childcare costs rise. Meanwhile, 10% of parents with a disability and 11% of parents of a disabled child have left work altogether.
For those who have been granted flexible working, more than six in 10 said their workload has stayed exactly the same.
Rachel Grocott, chief executive officer of Pregnant Then Screwed, said: ”This new data shows that the Flexible Working Act has not delivered the change that’s so needed by working parents and mothers. Flexible working is fundamental to how working mums and parents make the balance of work and care actually function in practice, especially for those facing additional barriers.
“Flexible working recognises and supports the reality of human beings having caring responsibilities because both are vital to our society. It drives productivity; it retains talent in the workplace; it benefits the bottom line; and it’s the right thing to do. We need to be protecting these families, not making it even harder for them.”
A Women In Data spokesperson added: “The data shows that the current system is failing those with the least room to manoeuvre. We’re not dealing with isolated decisions, this is a trend. Employers and policymakers must act on this data. Without equitable access to flexibility, we will continue to lose talent and deepen inequality.”
