A total of 46 per cent of working parents had not been able to attend school functions such as sports days, school plays or parent-teacher evenings because they were unable to leave their office in time.
One in four of the parents questioned said workplace commitments and rigid working hours prevented them from taking to their child to and from school. More than one in five said they could only change their working hours to fit round their family in an emergency, while 12 per cent said they could not alter their working arrangements at all.
Nearly one in three (29 per cent) said work commitments meant they felt they were becoming distanced from their children. Perhaps even more astonishingly, a total of 45 per cent of working mums and dads feared they were seen as bad role models by other parents.
Jamie Stewart, managing director of Kleeneze, said: “Clearly many parents are missing out on key events during their children’s school life because of what seems like harsh work commitments.
“It is vital that parents can experience some of the triumphs of their children’s school time not only to give their child support, but also to ensure they do not become distanced from their children. More and more parents are turning to part-time jobs which enable them to work round their child’s day. Around 65% of our distributors are working parents who have chosen Kleeneze as it gives them greater flexibility and balance in their lives.”
