2025 Modern Family Index: New Bright Horizons Research

How lack of child care is costing a generation of working parents’ careers

The Modern Family Index, conducted by the Harris Poll for Bright Horizons, reveals that working parents face growing tension between career ambitions and family responsibilities, largely due to workplaces failing to address the critical need for child care. Reliable child care is not just supportive but essential for career success and financial stability, enabling focus and professional growth, while its absence leads to stress and stalled advancement. These findings underscore the urgent need for workplace policies that genuinely support work-life balance and reflect the realities of modern parenting.

Resources for Your Family

Why It Matters: Employee Reflections on the Power of Family Care Support

For employees across industries, child care and family care benefits aren‘t just conveniences; they’re lifelines that shape how people show up at work, engage with their teams, and manage the demands of life beyond it.

Modern Families, Mounting Pressures: An Employer's Balancing Act

As caregiving responsibilities and work demands collide, the result is burnout, absenteeism, and turnover. Supporting today’s workforce means offering benefits that reflect the realities of modern life.

Moments That Matter: A Culture of Care for Every Generation

Caregiving is reshaping the workforce — and employees are asking for support across every life stage. In this eBook, workplace strategist Jennifer Moss shares how HR leaders can respond with benefits that build trust and drive retention.