School’s out, equity’s in: the business case for summer flexibility

With the summer holidays already underway across the North East, many working parents are navigating a very different kind of challenge. Juggling work, childcare and the constant logistics of summer life. For many, especially women, this period highlights the ongoing inequalities that still shape how we work.

At the Chamber, we have just wrapped up a Workplace Equity Task and Finish Group, a brilliant series of conversations with businesses about what equity means in practice. One message came through loud and clear: flexibility is a key indicator of equity. When people have the autonomy to balance work and life, whether that is caring responsibilities, health needs or simply different working styles, they are more likely to stay, thrive and contribute fully.

And it is not just a moral point. It makes business sense. Businesses that have embraced flexibility tell us it enhances retention, innovation and productivity. It diversifies the talent pool and widens the customer base. When employees feel seen and supported, they give more back. That is a bottom-line issue.

Of course, not every role can be done remotely, and it can be a challenge for SMEs to embed flexible practices. But flexibility is not just about working from home. It is about approaching work design with fairness, creativity and empathy. Can hours be adjusted? Can teams plan collaboratively over the summer? Can support be offered for holiday childcare? These are all questions that forward-thinking employers are asking and acting on.

I am fortunate to work in a flexible organisation, where trust and outcomes matter more than hours at a desk. It means I can be productive without constantly carrying around snacks, suncream, a laptop and a headset. Trying to be everywhere at once. That kind of flexibility should be the standard we aim for.

We plan to continue our equity work at the Chamber, evolving the Task and Finish Group into a longer-term focus. There is an appetite across our region to keep learning and improving.

So, with the summer holidays already in full swing, this feels like a timely moment to reflect. Are we building workplaces that support real lives? Are we proactively planning for the predictable challenges, like school holidays, and not just reacting to them?

Right, one week down and back to planning how to keep the little one entertained for the next five weeks in our glorious North East. Wish me luck.