Why Family-Friendly Workplaces Matter in Canada Right Now
Insights for Employers from the Latest Trends in 2025
As our work with Canadian companies continues to grow, we thought we’d share a quick snapshot of what’s happening across the labour market right now – especially when it comes to supporting working parents and carers.
Family-Friendly Benefits: More Than a Perk, A Talent Imperative
Across Canada, employers are rethinking their approach to benefits. What was once considered a “nice-to-have” is now a strategic must. Family-friendly benefits – like enhanced parental leave, parental leave coaching, childcare support, caregiver support and fertility treatment coverage, are helping organizations attract and retain talent in an increasingly competitive labour market.
Recent surveys reveal that nearly 60% of Canadian employers already view family-friendly benefits as key to their talent strategy, and that number is only expected to rise. One Benefits Canada report found 84% of employers cite talent competition as the main factor influencing their benefits plans, prompting businesses to broaden support for employees juggling work and family responsibilities.
The message is clear: supporting families isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s a strategic advantage.
“Family-friendly workplaces don’t just attract great talent, they nurture it. It’s about giving people the support they need to stay, grow, and thrive, both at work and at home.” says P&P coach
— Mary Crayston, P&P Coach, Canada
Flexibility: A Workplace Expectation
Flexibility has become one of the most important workplace priorities for employees today, and employers are responding. A 2024 Randstad report highlights that many Canadian employers are moving toward permanent flexible work policies, including hybrid schedules, part-time roles, and adjusted start/end times.
Mercer’s recent employer survey found that 74% of organizations offer flex-time, and many are embedding flexible working directly into job design and team culture.
Far from being a trend, workplace flexibility is now an expectation and a proven tool for improving engagement, performance, and retention.
“When parents feel trusted to manage how and when they work, it boosts confidence, reduces stress, and strengthens loyalty. True flexibility isn’t just about logistics – it’s about creating the conditions where people can do their best work and still show up for their families.”
— Lindsay White, P&P Coach, Canada
Talent Attraction & Retention: Still the Top Challenge
Despite ongoing efforts to modernize benefits and culture, employers continue to face significant talent pressures. According to Benefits Canada, 64% of employers say attracting talent is a top challenge, while 57% struggle with retention, a sentiment echoed across industries.
A report by Manpower Group showed that overall 77% Canadian employers expect difficulty finding qualified workers, a slight improvement from 80% in 2024, while 57% struggle with retention.
While improving pay and employee experience remain essential, employers are also doubling down on meaningful, inclusive benefits, particularly those that support working parents, as a way to stay competitive and meet the real-life needs of their people.
“Through my coaching work with parents in Canada, I’ve seen first-hand how proactive support from employers, whether during parenthood or caregiving, creates a powerful ripple effect. It builds a culture of care that’s genuinely felt across the organisation.
— Chris Ho, P&P Coach, Canada
Spotlight on Leadership: Canada’s Top Family-Friendly Employers
Every year, Canada’s Top 100 Family-Friendly Employers competition showcases the organizations leading the way in this space. The 2025 winners include the Royal Bank of Canada, Bell Canada, and Boston Consulting Group Canada, employers recognized for their proactive, thoughtful policies around parental leave, eldercare, and work-life balance.
This award reinforces that building a family-friendly workplace isn’t just a differentiator, it’s a hallmark of great leadership.
Want to explore how we can support your team? We’d love to hear from you.
At Parent & Professional, we work closely with Canadian employers to bring family-friendly values to life, whether that’s through parental leave coaching, support for working carers, or through empowering managers to lead with empathy and confidence.
Our approach is practical, flexible and grounded in what people really need to feel supported at work. When family-friendly benefits are meaningful, visible, and embedded into everyday culture, they don’t just help employees thrive, they help organisations stand out.