Two-fifths (40 per cent) of U.S. employees and one in five U.K. workers say their employer has introduced new childcare programs or subsidies over the past year, according to a survey by software company Beqom.
The survey, which polled 2,000 employees in the U.K. and the U.S., found 45 per cent of U.S parents and 42 per cent of U.K. parents said their path to promotion has been negatively impacted due to childcare duties during the coronavirus pandemic. Similar percentages — 47 per cent in the U.S. and 42 per cent in the U.K. — said childcare duties negatively impacted their ability to receive a pay raise.
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Nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of U.K. parents and close to half (47 per cent) of U.S. parents said their workplace eased demands on strict 9-to-5 availability in response to the coronavirus pandemic. More than a third of all respondents said their employer has established new policies for flexible hours (40 per cent in the U.S., 36 per cent in the U.K.), remote working opportunities (38 per cent in the U.K., 35 per cent in the U.S.) and increased paid leave (47 per cent in the U.S. and 17 per cent in the U.K.).
According to the survey, other benefits expanded over the last year include performance bonuses (31 per cent), retirement benefits (29 per cent), mental-health and wellness programs (28 per cent), phone or internet stipend (23 per cent) and hazard pay (22 per cent).
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Almost three-quarters (72 per cent) of U.K. respondents and 65 per cent of U.S. respondents said they looked for a new job within the last year. A majority of U.S. employees said they’d consider switching jobs for more flexible working hours (70 per cent), unlimited paid time off (69 per cent), more flexibility in working location (68 per cent), more pay transparency (60 per cent), executive compensation tied to environmental, social and governance initiatives (52 per cent), a greater focus on sustainability and corporate social responsibility (51 per cent) and a comprehensive diversity, equity and inclusion strategy (46 per cent).
Eight in 10 (81 per cent) U.S. workers and two-thirds (67 per cent) of U.K. employees said if job descriptions were transparent about the benefits and perks offered, as well as the salary range of the role (89 per cent in the U.K. and 79 per cent in the U.S.), they’d be more likely to apply for the position.
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