Atypical work and family life | findings

The vast majority of families have at least one parent who works atypical hours. Our study shows that:

• 9 in 10 dual-earning families have at least one atypical worker;
• 8 in 10 sole-earner fathers work at atypical times; and
• 5 in 10 sole-earner (lone or couple) mothers work at atypical times.

Parents who work atypical hours spend a considerable amount of time working at these times:

• Dual or sole-earner fathers work around 13 hours per week at atypical times.
• Mothers work around 10 atypical hours per week.

Mothers and fathers have different atypical working patterns:

• Fathers are more likely than mothers to work in the early mornings, evenings and on Sunday.
• Mothers are equally likely as fathers to work on Saturdays and in the evening.

Our evidence suggests that work at atypical times has a greater effect on mothers' time with their children than it has on fathers' time.  For example:

• Dual-earner mothers who worked early mornings spent less time than other mothers with their children - not only during weekdays but also at the weekend (and over the week in aggregate).
• Dual-earner mothers who worked evenings or nights spent less time with their children on Sunday.
• Dual-earner mothers who worked on Sunday spent less time with their children on that day.

We looked at the time parents and children spent together on eating; playing, reading,  teaching, sport or social activities. Mothers' work at atypical times is more strongly associated with a loss of time on these activities than fathers' work at atypical times.  
-    Atypical working mothers - be they in lone or couple families - spent less time eating with their children.
-    Couple mothers doing atypical work during the weekdays (early mornings and evenings) spent less time reading, playing and teaching with their children.  
-    Sunday working is associated with fathers spending less time with their children playing, reading and teaching.