As of 2025, 52% of different-sex couples in the United States with children under 18 had two parents working full time. A 2026 Pew Research Center survey of 2,242 US working parents also found that 52% of those working full time say their job makes it harder to be a good parent. At the same time, a 2025 KPMG survey of 1,000 US professionals found that 76% of working parents say having children made them more motivated at work.
The tension is familiar to anyone who has lived it. You are more driven than ever, and your workplace is making it harder to show up for the people who drive you.
Sourcefit operates in six countries, including the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, and Madagascar. Local labor frameworks, family structures, roles, work arrangements, and client requirements all shape what employees may need. For working parents in offshore staffing, effective support has to account for those practical differences.
We asked 12 Sourcefit employees across four countries what helps them manage work and family responsibilities. Their answers show that support is often experienced through ordinary moments, such as a manager making room for an emergency, a team responding without judgment, or a work arrangement that gives a parent more time at home.
The stories below pair their experiences with a closer look at Sourcefit’s current benefits and workplace practices.
Trust is where support begins
The same KPMG research found that 83% of C-suite executives say their company encourages open conversations about managing work and parenting. At junior levels, only 57% say the same. The gap between what leadership believes and what employees experience is one of the survey’s clearest findings.
At Sourcefit, trust appeared repeatedly in the responses. Fender Delos Santos, an Implementations Director based in the Philippines, put it plainly.
Flexibility matters more than perks. A gift or an event is nice, but what actually helps is trust — trusting that if I step away for an hour for my kid, I’ll still deliver. The employers who get that get more from their people, not less. Huge appreciation to my boss, [Sourcefit CEO] Andy Schachtel.
Fender
Sourcefit Philippines
A 2026 Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group survey points in a similar direction. Among working parents surveyed, 85% named job security and stability as a leading contributor to workplace satisfaction, compared with 62% who said the same about perks such as complimentary meals or fitness facilities.
Carmen Cepeda, a Senior Marketing Strategist in the Dominican Republic, described the moment that trust became real for her.
There was a time my child, who has autism, went through a crisis, and my whole team was so supportive of me. I’ll never forget that. It made me feel like I wasn’t just an employee to them, but a person going through something hard.
Carmen
Sourcefit Dominican Republic
Nurielys Martinez, a Sales Executive also based in the DR and a single parent, described a similar culture of understanding.
Working parents don’t expect special treatment. Sometimes we just need understanding and a little flexibility when something comes up with our children. Knowing that your employer understands that you’re a parent makes you feel valued and allows you to focus and do your best at work.
Nurielys
Sourcefit Dominican Republic
Robyn van Niekerk, an Appeals Executive based in Cape Town, South Africa, described how that trust shows up in practice.
There have been moments where I’ve felt that my responsibilities as a mother were understood. Having people recognise that I have a family depending on me and being able to communicate when something comes up means a lot. As a mother of five, there is always something happening, and it puts me at ease knowing that I am able to speak to my seniors, who thus far have been very understanding and always offering support or assistance where possible.
Robyn
Sourcefit South Africa
According to Great Place to Work’s 2025 analysis of over 606,000 parents, 92% of parents at the best-ranked workplaces report going above and beyond. At typical workplaces, the figure is 62%. The research supports what these employees describe: when people feel trusted, they give more. Sourcefit Philippines also earned Great Place To Work® Certification™ for the third consecutive year in 2025, with 84% of employees saying it is a great place to work.
How flexibility supports work-life balance in BPO
Pew Research Center’s 2026 study found that 70% of working parents handle parenting tasks while working, and 59% take care of work responsibilities while spending time with their kids. The line between work and family has already blurred for most parents. The question is whether employers acknowledge that reality or pretend it does not exist.
At Sourcefit, flexibility takes different forms depending on the role and the country. For some employees, that means working from home. For others, it means knowing they can leave the office for an emergency without facing consequences. As a family-friendly employer in the Philippines and across its other offices, the common thread at Sourcefit is practical flexibility, subject to role, operational, and client requirements. This is one way work-life balance in BPO becomes a daily practice rather than a promise.
Zai Jantar, a Bank Reconciliation Analyst in the Philippines, works from home and described what that arrangement has made possible.
Sourcefit has given me the opportunity to build my career while still being present for my family. Working from home has allowed me to spend more time with my children, be there for them when they need me, and still have a stable career. I’m very grateful because I don’t have to choose between being a good employee and being a present mom.
Zai
Sourcefit Philippines
Sonja Blignaut, a Recruitment Assistant who works remotely from South Africa, described a similar experience as a single parent.
When I joined Sourcefit I didn’t know how I would make it work, being a single parent, but it truly takes a village to raise kids, and I am proud to say that Sourcefit forms a big part of my village.
Sonja
Sourcefit South Africa
Santatraina Randry, a Full-Stack Developer in Madagascar, described how flexibility works alongside the demands of a technical role.
For me, it comes down to organization and knowing what really needs my attention at a given moment. As a developer, there are days when I need long periods of concentration, and as a parent, especially with a young baby at home, things do not always go according to plan. I try to organize my work carefully, communicate early when something comes up, and make the most of the time when I can focus.
Santatraina
Sourcefit Madagascar
For employees who work onsite, flexibility looks different. Jen Balando, an Accounting Liaison Associate who works at our Eastwood location, described a moment that showed her the culture was real.
I felt supported when my child had an emergency at school. Despite being onsite, they allowed me to leave the office to attend to them without any hassle.
Jen
Sourcefit Philippines
Tin Maginang, an HR Onboarding Associate who works from home in the Philippines, described a similar moment during a family medical emergency.
One of the things I truly appreciate about working at Sourcefit is the flexibility of working from home. There was a time when my son was admitted to the hospital, and I needed to be there for him while still fulfilling my responsibilities at work.
Being able to care for my son while continuing to do my job made a huge difference during that challenging time. Having a workplace that allows me to be a present and hands-on mom while pursuing my career is something I genuinely value and am grateful for.
Tin
Sourcefit Philippines
Aaron Carlos, an Implementations Manager from the Philippines, described what work-life balance in BPO looks like when company practice matches what employees hear during onboarding.
The culture here for working parents has genuinely surprised me, in a good way. A lot of companies talk about work-life balance in the onboarding deck, and then reality hits differently. Sourcefit has actually walked the talk, between the flexibility with work from home, the Father’s Day recognition, and the general attitude that being a good parent and being good at your job aren’t competing priorities.
Did it match what I expected when I joined? Honestly, it exceeded it. I expected to have to fight for balance. Instead, I found a culture that just assumes you’re a whole person outside of work, and that’s rarer than it should be.
Aaron
Sourcefit Philippines
The skills parenthood brings to work
The employee responses challenge a common assumption that parenting competes with professional performance. Several participants described skills and motivation strengthened by parenthood.
Robyn was direct about what parenthood has taught her:
I would say, don’t underestimate yourself just because you’re a parent. Being a mother of five has taught me skills that I use every day at work — patience, organisation, problem-solving, multitasking, and most importantly, knowing how to handle pressure.
I’ve worked at other companies before, but no one has taught me how important timekeeping and attendance are, and how they set the tone for the day, week, or month ahead.
Jen described the same transfer of skills from a different angle:
Parents are highly efficient coordinators who can manage their time perfectly when given the autonomy to do so.
Fender tackled how his daily running practice and his approach to parenting feed into the same discipline he brings to leading teams:
Honestly, it’s less about balance and more about a rhythm of passion. My role in Implementations means deadlines, shifts, and priorities move fast daily, so I’ve learned to protect specific blocks. Business hours are dedicated to work, with a hard stop most evenings unless something is truly urgent for the business.
I also lean on my daily running, at a minimum of 10km, as my reset button to de-stress and sustain my fitness. A few kilometers before or after work helps me clear my head and makes me a better leader, parent, and teammate.
Aaron, on the other hand, reflects on how separating work time from family time helps him give each his full attention:
I’m a big believer in compartmentalizing. When I’m at work, I’m all in — full focus, full effort. When I clock out and walk through my front door, I flip that same switch for my family. They get the same 100% I just gave my job, not the leftover 20% running on fumes. It’s a bit like playing two characters in the same story.
“Work Me” doesn’t answer emails during family dinner, and “Home Me” definitely doesn’t try to negotiate bedtime like it’s a client contract, even though the tactics are eerily similar. That separation isn’t about caring less about one or the other. It’s actually what lets me carefully about both.
How Sourcefit supports parents across four countries
Across the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, South Africa, and Madagascar, Sourcefit’s approach combines local statutory entitlements, company benefits, and practical accommodations. Employees can discuss personal situations with their managers and HR, with requests considered on a case-by-case basis where operationally feasible. The following overview reflects the information provided by each local team.
- How support works in the Philippines
Philippine statutory leave is administered in accordance with applicable law and the relevant eligibility, service, contribution, documentation, and procedural requirements. Depending on their circumstances, employees may be entitled to 105 days of paid maternity leave for live childbirth, with an additional 15 days for eligible solo mothers, or 60 days following miscarriage or emergency termination of pregnancy. Married male employees may receive seven days of paid paternity leave, while eligible solo parents may receive up to seven working days of paid parental leave annually under the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act. Qualified employees who undergo surgery for a gynecological disorder may also be entitled to up to two months of paid special leave under the Magna Carta of Women.
Separately, eligible regular Sourcefit Philippines employees may receive up to 12 days of vacation leave and up to 12 days of sick leave annually, subject to current company policy and applicable administration rules. Flexible work arrangements, including work-from-home set-ups, may be available for eligible roles and are assessed according to operational requirements and client approval. The company may also implement emergency or exigent telecommuting arrangements as part of its business continuity procedures. Employees can confirm HMO dependent coverage eligibility, terms, and enrollment options with the company’s Medical Services Team.
- How support works in the Dominican Republic
Maternity leave is 14 weeks with pay, in accordance with the Dominican Labor Code and Social Security regulations. Paternity leave is two working days with pay. Health insurance is provided for all employees, and dependents can be enrolled at the employee’s cost. Depending on the plan terms, eligible services may include medical consultations, hospitalization, prescriptions, dental care, and other covered services. The leave framework currently follows the statutory entitlements described above. Managers for Sourcefit Dominican Republic may also consider individual family circumstances and explore reasonable accommodations based on operational requirements.
- How support works in South Africa
Sourcefit South Africa’s current benefits information lists four months of maternity leave, 10 days of paternity leave, 10 weeks of adoption or surrogacy leave, and four paid days of family responsibility leave each year. The family responsibility days are paid by Sourcefit, while eligible employees may seek UIF support during the longer unpaid leave periods, subject to contribution and claim requirements.
South Africa‘s parental leave framework changed following the Constitutional Court’s October 2025 judgment, which introduced an interim shared-leave model while Parliament develops remedial legislation. Sourcefit South Africa is reviewing its policies and benefits in light of these developments and as the office continues to grow. Employees should confirm current entitlements and UIF arrangements with local HR. Family-related requests are considered individually, with flexibility balanced against operational and client requirements.
- How support works in Madagascar
Maternity leave is 14 weeks total, split into six weeks prenatal and eight weeks postnatal. Paternity leave is three days. OSTIE coverage is provided for all employees, and married employees can extend coverage to their spouse and children. The Madagascar office operates on a hybrid work arrangement, which supports employees in balancing professional and personal responsibilities. Employees may also discuss caregiving needs with their managers, and reasonable accommodations may be considered in line with operational requirements.
Formal benefits are only one part of the employee experience. The stories in this article show how managers, communication, and day-to-day judgment shape whether a policy feels useful when family needs arise. Sourcefit Madagascar‘s local teams continue to review where support for working parents can be strengthened.
What working parents want employers to understand
According to Pew Research Center’s 2026 study, 45% of working parents say being a parent makes it harder to advance at work. McKinsey and LeanIn.Org’s 2025 Women in the Workplace report noted that some companies have been scaling back remote work, formal sponsorship, and targeted career development programs. These findings help explain why some parents worry that caregiving responsibilities could limit their career progression.
We asked every participant what they wish more employers understood. Their responses focused less on lowering expectations and more on having room to manage the unexpected while remaining accountable for their work.
Parenting doesn’t just stop when the workday starts, especially when your child needs extra support. What we need most is flexibility and trust, not someone watching the clock.
Carmen
Flexibility isn’t the same as going easy on someone. A lot of employers still think a parent who needs flexibility is less committed. In reality, it’s the opposite. Give someone the trust to manage their time and they usually give you more, not less. We’re not asking for special treatment, just the understanding that being good at your job and being a present parent aren’t in competition; they actually support each other.
Aaron
Working parents need support. Without that, employees won’t be able to add the value for which they were employed in the first place.
Sonja
When an employer gives a working parent that understanding, it doesn’t make them less productive. It makes them feel valued, and that creates loyalty and motivation. This also gives us reason to want to be present every day and go above and beyond what is expected of us during our time at work.
Robyn
I think working parents need trust and reasonable flexibility more than anything else. Most parents are not asking for lower expectations. We just need enough flexibility to deal with situations that cannot always be planned. When an employer focuses on responsibility, communication, and results instead of expecting someone’s personal life to never affect their schedule, it becomes much easier to give your best at work.
Santatraina
This might get some pushback. Time and effort should work hand in hand. Similarly, these small gestures of being celebrated are one way to thank your employees, regardless of how they work.
Dan Fernandez,
Workforce Manager | Sourcefit Philippines
Building better support one conversation at a time
Sourcefit’s approach continues to develop as local teams review policies and listen to employees. The next step is to turn the positive moments described here into an experience that more working parents can rely on consistently.
The employee stories point to practical choices. Managers can respond with understanding when family needs interrupt the day, teams can support colleagues through difficult periods, and performance can be judged through responsibility and results. These choices do not lower expectations. They help employees meet them.
Robyn said it best:
You can be a great parent and still have career ambitions. It isn’t always easy, but the two don’t have to compete with each other. You can work hard, grow professionally and still be there for your family.
Jenny Ranjamalala, a Quality Analyst in Madagascar, put it just as simply.
I would tell them that it’s a place where your work is valued and where you can continue growing professionally without losing sight of what matters most at home. It still takes commitment and good time management, but having a supportive environment makes a real difference.
Jenny
Sourcefit Madagascar
Policies set the baseline, but employees experience support through the decisions made around them each day. Trust, belonging, and the freedom to meet responsibilities at work and at home are central to working with purpose. A supportive workplace culture gives people confidence to contribute, while alignment between personal values and workplace practices helps make that contribution sustainable. Sourcefit will continue listening to employees, reviewing its approach, and strengthening support across its offices.
For working parents considering their next role, the employee stories offer useful questions to ask. How does flexibility work in practice? What happens when a family emergency interrupts the day? Can career growth continue alongside caregiving responsibilities? The answers reveal more than what an employer offers on paper. They show how its culture responds when work and family meet in real life.
Sourcefit is hiring across its offices in the Philippines, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Madagascar, Northern Ireland, and Armenia. If you are looking for opportunities for working parents in offshore staffing, visit our careers page to start your application. Learn more about Sourcefit’s culture and global operations.
Ready to explore how Sourcefit can help you build a flexible, people-centered offshore team? Contact us today!
