The RAF Families Federation, in conjunction with the Army Families Federation and the Naval Families Federation, have highlighted the importance of remote and hybrid working opportunities for military families in their recent submission to the House of Lords Select Committee’s call for evidence.
The federations response emphasises the need for flexible and portable employment options that address the unique challenges faced by military families due to mobility and separation.
By collaborating on the submission, the federations were able to ensure the perspectives of serving military families were aptly represented; highlighting the importance of home-based working, which enables spouses and partners to pursue their careers while contributing a vital second income to the household.
Employment challenges for UK Armed Forces families
The response included findings from the latest Tri-Service Families Continuous Attitude Survey (FAMCAS) and the Army Family Federation’s 2024 Spouse and Partner Employment Survey report. Both sources identify key barriers to employment, notably the challenges posed by overseas postings and insufficient childcare support.
Notably, the federations recognised a positive outcome from the COVID-19 pandemic: the normalisation of remote work for many individuals. They articulated concern that a return to pre-pandemic, solely office-based working arrangements would represent a regression, potentially exacerbating employment challenges for partners of serving personnel.
Additionally, the submission drew attention to Forces Families Jobs, the career portal specifically designed for military family members. An analysis of the portal revealed the most frequent keyword searches on the jobs board were “remote” and “home working,” demonstrating the demand for flexibility to balance employment with the responsibilities of solo parenting during deployments.
Read the full response: Tri-Service Families Federation’s Response to the House of Lords Select Committee’s Call for Evidence into Remote and Hybrid Working in the UK >
