Working Families partners with Executive Coaching Consultancy to produce Parental Fog Index

Working Families will partner with The Executive Coaching Consultancy (ECC) to deliver the next Parental Fog Index Report (PFI) in May 2026. 

The Index was first developed by The ECC in 2019 and is now a recognised measure for how UK employers share information about parental policies. 

Research found that since 2019, the number of employers not sharing details about support for working parents dropped from 31% to 1%. 

Working Families commended The ECC for setting up the Index and highlighted its role in exposing factors behind the motherhood penalty, which accounts for 80% of the gender pay gap in the UK. 

Research also found workplaces need to support fathers and partners to take parental leave without penalty.

As Working Families takes over the Index, the charity will use its experience in employment rights and family-friendly working to help the Index reach more employers and parents. 

The aim is to keep improving transparency and support for working parents.

Jane van Zyl, CEO at Working Families, said: “ECC’s work on the parental fog index has created a strong and important foundation, showing just how critical transparency is if parents are to thrive at work. 

“At Working Families, our work with employers and policymakers, alongside what we hear every day through our free legal advice service, shows the real difference that clear, accessible information makes for working parents and carers. 

“Working alongside ECC, we will build on this momentum and take the index into its next phase in 2026.”

Geraldine Gallacher, CEO at The ECC, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Working Families on the future of the PFI. 

“Their expertise, influence, and commitment to driving fairer, more inclusive workplaces make them ideal to take this work forward. 

“The 2026 launch marks an exciting new phase, one that will broaden the index’s impact and continue helping employers to support working parents.”