More than 75% of the working parents surveyed by the charity said that they had to take more than five days of unpaid leave this summer.
The study also highlighted that 87% of working parents feel the stress of balancing work and childcare, and that 73% report that stress affects their mental health, and that budgets are being stretched to the limit. Additionally, 40% report struggling to afford essentials during the summer, due to childcare costs.
Rachel Grocott, Pregnant Then Screwed’s CEO, commented: “There is no job in the world that offers the amount of paid holidays that a parent would need to cover all school holidays.
“Many parents are racking up debts and taking unpaid leave from work to make it all work, all the while trying to create fun summer memories for their children.”
Over a third of mothers taking unpaid leave say they’re forfeiting more than two weeks’ pay to cover the childcare gap.
But there are several ways that HR can support parents in the school holidays, including actively supporting flexible work and remote-based work patterns that enable parents to balance their home and work commitments, Clara Wilcox, a career and return to work coach said.
Of the working parents surveyed by Pregnant Then Screwed, 56% of those taking on additional childcare reported feeling tired at work, 66% felt behind with their work, and 50% said it affected their chances of getting promoted.
Employers must do better at supporting working parents, suggested Charlotte Speak, who runs Power of the Parent, a coaching consultancy for working parents. She stated: “If we don’t look after our people, we’ll have skyrocketing costs and a thriving culture of burnout.”
The charity’s study found that nearly 70% of parents rely on costly holiday clubs to cover childcare. Half of those using holiday clubs report spending more than £300 this summer; a third are forking out over £500.
Speak recommends that employers make use of childcare voucher schemes, or a partnership with childcare providers. “Don’t be put off that the holidays have already started, they’ll come back around again in October!” she said.
Suzie Dawes, head of people and culture at CABA, a charity that supports chartered accountants’ wellbeing said: “Summer holidays are often a time of joy, but they can also present significant challenges for working parents. The abrupt change in routine, combined with the need to arrange and afford extra childcare, can create considerable emotional and financial pressure.
“Management and HR can make a real difference by fostering a workplace culture grounded in empathy and flexibility. Recognising that parents may need to adjust their schedules and enabling flexible working helps build trust, reduces stress and supports the retention of high levels of productivity.”
Small gestures such as checking in can demonstrate care from the organisation, Dawes said, explaining that when parents are supported, they are more engaged, loyal and able to bring their full selves to work, which benefits the entire organisation.
The survey was conducted by Pregnant Then Screwed from 3 to 15 July 2025 and was an online opt-in survey with 1,176 respondents.
