How divorce can impact professional lives

Along with death and moving home, divorce is one of life’s most stressful events. While the impact of divorce on personal lives is well documented, it is only in recent years that the spotlight has turned to the impact this challenging event has on professional lives.

The emotional Impact of divorce and separation on working lives

Research by the Positive Parenting Alliance (PPA), found that 90% of those navigating divorce felt it had a negative impact on their ability to perform at work.

Many needed to take time off from work during divorce and separation owing to several factors that include:

• Loss of support from an ex-partner and their family, particularly for help with childcare.
• The emotional devastation of divorce which can lead to depression, anger, anxiety and ill health.
• Loss of income which can lead to household financial strain.
• Loss of the family home and the need to find new accommodation.
• Time off for appointments with solicitors, financial advisors, therapists, estate agents etc.

Recommendations for employer support for employees navigating divorce

The PPA research also revealed that despite the huge impact divorce has on employees, only 9% of employers have a defined policy to support staff grappling with this devastating life event.

Consequently, the organisation is campaigning for employers to commit to greater help and more family-friendly policies for employees going through separation and divorce.

Their suggestions include support in the following ways:

• Recognising divorce and separation as a ‘life event’ in HR policy so that those experiencing separation feel recognised and know they can access support.
• Ensuring parents going through a separation have access to flexible working to enable them to manage school and childcare pick-ups and drop-offs, while they reconfigure their family arrangements.
• Giving employees access to and pointing them towards, emotional counselling during this period.
• Signposting and access to separation support services, so that parents can have the guidance and support that they need to separate in the most compassionate and child-focused way.

The campaign has met with a hugely positive response, with businesses including Asda, Tesco, Metro bank, PwC and Unilever, partnering with the PPA to promote more family-friendly policies for employees going through divorce or separation.

If you are thinking about divorce or separation, we offer a no obligation 60-minute initial consultation for you to understand the impact on your specific family circumstances for £150 (incl. VAT). To arrange a meeting please call us on 01444 472700, email info@tisshawssolicitors.co.uk or complete the form below.