With the hybrid working revolution in full swing, Numis recognised it needed to support its team with caring and family responsibilities. A forward-thinking business, with an enhanced paternity and maternity package, it promptly started to investigate benefits for parents working through the pandemic outbreak that would support them in their careers as well as help to attract new talent.

As the decision to transition to a hybrid working model was finalised, Head of Human Resources, Mica Ross, knew flexible childcare would be essential for their parents, particularly those in senior management roles. Mica began conversations with Bubble for Work, which stood out as the best solution for the flexibility needs of both parents and employers.

Ross said: “Supporting working parents has never been more important, and as a firm we want to acknowledge and support our colleagues who are managing parental responsibilities alongside their jobs. By providing subsidised childcare, we are proudly recognising that childcare is part of the infrastructure that makes our business successful.

“Over the last year the way we work has changed forever and our partnership with Bubble reflects this need to be flexible and adapt to change. Because Bubble puts the emphasis on control and trust they were a natural partner for us and we are excited for them to support us as we continue to build a culture which enables our employees to feel supported and fulfilled.

“Bubble is not only easy to set up, but the fact that parents can book a local, trusted babysitter at short notice for as little as one hour fits with contemporary needs. Already, staff have had instances where a nanny has called in sick, or a nursery has been forced to close, and Bubble has meant they can still attend an important meeting in person.

“It offers peace of mind as parents can rely on it to provide the childcare they need when they need it, rather than when the providers are open, as is the case with traditional childcare models.”

A Numis employee feedback gathering exercise demonstrated the desire for employer childcare support packages that could fit around a flexible schedule, too.

Ross added: “Uptake has been good and is increasing week by week. It’s great to see that the parents - both mums and dads - that actively use Bubble use it quite often, meaning it is a benefit that works and is needed. 

Parents at Numis receive monthly contributions to their childcare needs as well as a premium subscription to Bubble so they can book childcare to suit their schedule and they don’t incur any booking fees. 

Ross said: “We find that both existing employees and new recruits are increasingly interested in benefits and wellbeing initiatives. And through the pandemic, uptake and participation has increased, which is a trend we expect to continue.  As a management team, where many of us are parents with young children ourselves, we recognised the need for a flexible childcare solution. This was echoed through conversations across the workforce and employee surveys.

“Employer-led childcare solutions can often be inflexible and challenging to roll out, but Bubble has changed that landscape drastically. 

“Our people are our biggest asset so of course we want to look after them. We are really proud of the range of benefits we offer, and this is always something we are reviewing. Like many financial institutions, our benefits include private healthcare (also available for dependents), cycle to work scheme and gym benefits.

“We have drastically improved our family-friendly policies over the past few years, for example through more extensive paid maternity and paternity leave as well as shared parental leave, amongst other things.”

Numis now provides an employee wellbeing offering that reduces the additional stress often faced by working parents. Partnering with Bubble means it’s now proud to offer a reduced strain on talent with caring responsibilities, improved all-round wellbeing and an enhanced employee value proposition for everyone.