Flexible Work Can Alleviate Military Family Challenges

ByJessica Howington, Senior Content Manager

军事配偶和家庭都遭受重创的populations when it comes to employment. With the military family challenges of needing to work around duty requirements or caregiving responsibilities, there’s a huge need for flexible work.

Blue Star Families recently released its annualMilitary Family Lifestyle Surveyresults, and the numbers are in support of what military families and veterans have been trying to tell their leadership for years.

Below, we’ve outlined the big survey takeaways and ways that flexible work can alleviate military family challenges for military spouses, caregivers, and veterans.

Big Takeaways From the BSF Survey

The Top Five Issues of Military Families

Time away from family
Military spouse employment
Military pay and benefits
Veteran employment
Dependent children’s education

Spouse Employment

Employed military spouses – 47%
Unemployed military spouses – 28%
Not in the labor force – 26%
- 的使用:
  - Number of employed military spouses indicating they are underpaid – 55%
  - Number of employed military spouses that make less than $20K annually – 51%
Military spouses earn far less than their civilian counterparts.
Employed spouses create a more positive veteran transition experience.
Despite desire to work outside the home, the ability to obtain and retain employment is a top challenge.

Children and Families

Number of families that cannot obtain reliable child care – 67%
Number of families that feel the DoD does not provide adequate support to help military children cope – 56%
Number of families that do not feel like they belong in their local civilian communities – 51%

Financial Impact

Spouse unemployment and underemployment are top financial security obstacles, followed by saving for retirement.
Almost half of military families have less than $5,000 in savings.
Fifty-two percent of military spouses earned zero income.
Only 9% financially contributed equally or more than their active spouse.

Veterans

Veteran employment takes longer than expected.
Less than half of veterans that utilized transition services said the programs successfully prepared them for the transition to civilian life.
Homelessness, substance abuse, unemployment, and mental illness continue to be major issues.

精神Health

Depression and anxiety rates are significantly higher among military spouses, veterans, and veteran spouses than the national average.
Thoughts of suicide continue to rise year over year.
Feelings of isolation are common among military spouses.

Considering these challenges and associated numbers, it can be easy to understand how these populations are affected. Military spouses, despite being an educated group of individuals that want to work, are underemployed and underpaid, which adds to the already existing stress of the military. Veterans and caregivers are also struggling with transition in order to gain employment and maintain financial independence.

While traditional employment methods seem to be failing these populations, there is an option that is better suited for military spouses, veterans, and caregivers—flexible work.

How Flexible Work Supports Military Families

Work-Life Balance

While the military lifestyle is far from supporting a positive work-life balance, it is available to military spouses, caregivers, and veterans. Through flexible jobs and supporting companies, work-life balance can be found through a range of flexible work options, including part-time schedules, flexible and alternative schedules, telecommuting arrangements, freelance contracts, and seasonal opportunities.

Military-Friendly Companies

Not all companies show their support for military families in the same way. However, there are several companies that go above and beyond to show their support. These companies are awarded an accolade for being “military friendly.” Check them out!

Financial Independence

Through flexible work, military spouses, veterans, and caregivers can increase their income. Not only does this support their annual earnings, but allows them to focus on their long-term retirement efforts, increase their savings, and decrease some of the stress they face. Military families can also be better supported and prepared for the transition to civilian life. Rather than going from one income to half an income at military retirement, there’s a cushion from the spouse’s income to see them through.

Childcare Issues

鉴于军人家庭非常困难time finding affordable and reliable child care, having flexible work can alleviate these challenges. Having the ability to flex hours around an active spouse’s mission requirements or caregiving responsibilities is crucial. Additionally, with many concerns around dependent child-care education, an extra income can help military families when making education-based decisions, even if that includes homeschooling.

精神Health

Flexible work can help support people on their journey to better mental health. Not only can it make doctor appointments easier to accommodate, it can help to relieve stress. People can work in their own space, take time when they need to focus on their health, and have the support of a company that knows there is life outside of a job. Additional benefits can include less financial stress, a feeling of belonging, a sense of community, a purpose, and a renewed sense of self. All of these can help a person who is struggling.

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Find a Better Way to Work

Whether you are a part of the military community or you know someone who is, flexible work can be a great tool, and FlexJobs is here to help. From thelatest jobsandflexible company guideto more targetedjob search adviceformilitary spouses, we’ve got your back. As a military spouse myself, I can assure you FlexJobs has your best interests at heart.

Take a tour of FlexJobs to learn more about how membership can empower your job search and career, no matter your circumstances.

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