Our research
There was limited research on the experience of working mums and no research on the experience of dads in the UK. Until now.
NEW
Released 22nd Sept, 2025
Despite the profound impact parenthood has on careers, there's been limited research into the experience of working mums - and almost none on dads - in the UK. That's why understanding the transition to working parenthood is so critical, especially given the strong link between the gender pay gap and the birth of a first child. Yet most organisations still lack the data they need to inform effective strategies and measure the ROI of their policies.
The WOMBA x Hult research addresses this gap with a comprehensive, inclusive, and multi-perspective study that brings the experience of working parents into focus.
The resultant Working Parents Thrive diagnostic tool and model enables organisational leaders and policy shapers to understand the systems required for parents to thrive and allows organisations to take a strategic and data led approach to change.
Download the report now to take full advantage of the report and Thrive tool!
Download our final research report
The approach
Gender equal research was conducted in 3 phases to understand and quantify the experience of working parents:
Phase 1 (28 participants) - Interviews with working parents
Qualitative interviews to listen to experience of mums and dads
Phase 2 (24 participants) Roundtables with People Leaders
Organisational roundtables with People Leads to hear their perspectives
Phase 3 (700 participants) Survey on thrive factor for working parents
Quantitative survey to confirm findings of factors for working parents to thrive
The findings
Mums & dads often have similar needs and hopes as working parents e.g.financial stability and spending time with their children.
Mums & dads interact with the organisation system differently e.g. mums more dependent on a formal system, dads more confident in challenging the system.
The statistically significant factors for working parents to thrive are common, with some being more important for mums e.g. ability to make choices
Our Research Partner
Hult International Business School
Our team at WOMBA is partnering with Hult International Business School on a groundbreaking research project exploring the experiences of how working parents experience the transition to parenthood in the workplace.
In phase one of the project, we heard from working parents about challenges they faced in both their professional and personal lives. From unclear parental leave policies for dads to rigid maternity policies for mums, we uncovered the barriers working parents face. Check out our key findings published in Huff Post.
Access the 2024 report now.
Over 1/3 of workers are parents, yet today's working world is poorly setup to support their career and family life.
Societal and generational shifts, and competitive pressure are prompting organisations to (re)consider their approach to attract and retain working parents.
There is no shortage of media coverage on the challenges facing parents but little data to inform how organisations should manage this talent and unlock the ROI of parental policies.
The WOMBA x Hult research addresses this gap with a comprehensive, inclusive, multi perspective study.
Dr. Carina Paine Schofield talks research insights