How to Support Employees During School Holidays Without Compromising Your Business
The school summer holidays bring sunshine, family time… and a whole lot of juggling for working parents. For HR leaders, business owners, and people managers, it’s a time when employee wellbeing and business performance can both feel stretched.
So, how do you support your team—especially working parents—without compromising productivity?
The answer lies in embedding flexible, meaningful support into your workplace culture. And a great place to start is with a company-funded employee health plan.
Why Supporting Working Parents in Summer Matters.
The pressure on working parents during the summer break is real. With rising childcare costs, limited access to holiday clubs, and ongoing work demands, many employees are navigating stress on multiple fronts—mental, emotional, and financial.
This can lead to:
Increased absenteeism
Dips in productivity
Higher stress-related health issues
Lower employee morale and engagement
When parents feel unsupported, it doesn’t just affect them—it affects the whole team. But with the right strategies in place, you can avoid burnout and maintain business momentum.
How Health Plans Can Support Employees Without Affecting Business
Flexible working is often the go-to solution—but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
A company-funded health plan (such as a health cash plan, private medical insurance, or an Employee Assistance Programme) delivers real, practical support, both during the school holidays and year-round.
Here’s how these plans help working parents and your business:
24/7 GP access (e.g. Bupa Blua or Vitality GP) – no more stressful appointment juggling
Mental health support for parents and teenagers – confidential counselling and helplines
Claimable day-to-day healthcare like dental, optical, and physio – easing the financial strain
Preventative care – catching issues early and reducing sick days
Boosted retention – showing your team you genuinely care
HR Tips: Supporting Staff with Childcare & Summer Stress
Want to go a step further? Here are some extra ways to support employees during the summer holidays:
1. Offer Flexible Working for Parents
Shift the focus from hours to outcomes. Empower your team to work in ways that suit family life.
2. Promote Your Employee Benefits
Don’t let your health plan or EAP sit unnoticed—remind your team what’s available and how to access it.
3. Encourage Open Conversations
Managers should regularly check in on team wellbeing and workloads—sometimes a listening ear goes a long way.
4. Plan Ahead
Anticipate holiday cover, stagger leave, and reduce last-minute stress for everyone involved.
Even simple adjustments can ease the pressure and keep teams engaged and productive.
Support Employees During School Holidays—And Beyond
Looking after your employees during the school holidays isn’t about lowering your standards—it’s about being smart, proactive, and people-focused.
When your team feels cared for, supported, and empowered, it leads to:
Better engagement
Higher performance
Lower turnover
A stronger workplace culture
An employee health plan is more than a perk—it’s a statement. It says: we see you, we value you, and we’ve got your back.
Let’s Chat
Want to explore how a health plan could help your team through the summer—and all year round? Let’s talk. I’d love to hear more about your business and show you what’s possible.
👉 Book a free call with me to discuss your options.
