Working Parents, Holiday Stress & Business Demands – Finding the Right Balance
How can you support your team without compromising your business?
The school summer holidays are a joyful time for families, but they can also be a major stressor for working parents. For HR leaders, people managers, and business owners, this six-week stretch brings a balancing act: keeping business performance steady while supporting employees who may be under increased pressure at home.
With rising childcare costs, limited availability of holiday clubs, and ongoing work demands, many employees find themselves stretched thin mentally, emotionally, and financially. So, how can your organisation offer meaningful support during this time, without disrupting operations?
The answer isn’t just about offering flexible working (though that helps). It’s about embedding support into your company culture—and that’s where a company-funded health plan can play a powerful role.
The Pressure on Working Parents is Real
Whether it’s arranging childcare, managing unexpected illnesses, or simply trying to juggle conflicting schedules, the summer break adds invisible labour to many employees’ lives.
As a result:
Absenteeism can increase
Productivity can dip
Stress-related health issues can surface
Employee morale may decline
If left unsupported, this period can quietly impact performance and even retention.
The Business Case for Supporting Employees Year-Round
A well-structured, company-funded health plan (such as a cash plan, EAP, or private medical insurance) offers practical, everyday value—not just during the summer, but all year round.
Here’s how it can help right now:
Access to 24/7 GP services (like Bupa Blua or Vitality GP), removing the stress of juggling appointments for kids or themselves
Mental health support for both parents and teenagers via confidential counselling and helplines
Claimable everyday healthcare like dental, optical, or physio, without the financial burden
Preventative care that helps catch issues early, reducing time off for acute conditions
A signal of care that strengthens culture and retention, especially among working parents
Practical Tips for Employers This Summer
Alongside health plans, here are some additional steps you can take to show up for your people:
Encourage flexible scheduling: Shift the focus to outputs, not hours.
Promote available benefits: Ensure employees know how to access EAPs, health plans, or GP services.
Invite open conversations: Let managers check in regularly on workload and wellbeing.
Plan ahead for cover: Map out potential holiday overlaps to reduce last-minute stress.
Even small adjustments can make a big impact on how supported your team feels.
In Summary
Looking after your employees through the school summer holidays doesn’t mean lowering your business standards. When your team feels cared for, supported, and equipped, it can improve engagement and performance, even during challenging periods.
A company-funded health plan is more than a perk. It’s a practical, preventative tool that shows your people they matter—summer and beyond.
Let’s Talk
If you’d like to explore how a health plan could support your team this summer and into the future, I’d love to help. Drop me a message or book a quick call here:
Liked this post? Feel free to comment, share, or connect with me. Let’s keep the conversation going on how to build healthier, happier workplaces.
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