Parental Leave Falls Short
How Coaching Can Make the System Work for Families
Parental leave in the UK has been under scrutiny for years - and 2025 is no different. Despite incremental reforms, families continue to face barriers that force them to cut leave short, return to work before they’re ready or shoulder the financial and emotional strain of patchy support.
Recent reports highlight the cracks:
Parents cutting leave short: A survey by Working Families shows many parents are returning to work earlier than planned because of financial pressures and inadequate leave provisions.
System needs reform, not tweaks: A UK Parliament report makes it clear that minor adjustments aren’t enough - deeper structural reform is needed to make leave equitable and effective.
Dads on “strike”: Researchers at University College London highlight frustration among fathers, with some even calling for a “dad strike” to push for fairer parental leave policies.
These headlines tell us one thing: the system doesn’t work as it should. But while policy catches up, families and businesses are left to navigate the reality.
Why Parental Leave Matters for Everyone
Parental leave isn’t just a “nice to have.” It impacts:
Parents’ wellbeing - Adequate time off supports mental health, bonding and recovery.
Career sustainability - Without proper leave, parents face stalled progression or exit the workforce altogether.
Business performance - Retention suffers, talent pipelines weaken and engagement drops when parents feel unsupported.
Where Coaching Can Help
Coaching can’t replace system reform - but it can bridge the gap between imperfect policies and the lived experience of parents returning to work. At Moco Coaching, we support both individuals and organisations to make parental leave work better.
For Parents
Confidence to return: Coaching helps parents prepare emotionally and practically for re-entering the workplace.
Reframing career breaks: Instead of a setback, time off becomes a period of growth and perspective.
Boundary-setting: Parents learn how to communicate needs, balance priorities and protect wellbeing.
For Employers
Smoother transitions: Coaching equips managers to welcome back returners with sensitivity and structure.
Reduced stigma: Normalising conversations about leave shows that caring responsibilities are part of life, not a career weakness.
Retention strategy: Supporting returners builds loyalty and prevents costly turnover.
Why Businesses Should Act Now
While we wait for systemic change, businesses have the chance to lead from the front. Supporting parents isn’t just a compliance issue - it’s a culture issue. Employers who invest in coaching show they value people not only for the roles they perform at work, but for the lives they lead beyond it.
The Moco Coaching Perspective
Policy reform may take years, but families and businesses can’t wait. Coaching creates the space to adapt, thrive and make imperfect systems work better in the meantime.
Because when parents feel supported, they don’t just return to work - they return with resilience, clarity and commitment. And that’s something every business benefits from.