NEW YEAR, NEW JOB FOR MOTHERS

A new poll from WorkingMums.co.uk, a leading jobsite for women looking for flexible and home working employment opportunities, reveals that many mothers have resolved to get back to work in the New Year. Out of the 422 women polled, 83% said that they would be looking for work in 2008.

This is very encouraging as a recent study also conducted by WorkingMums revealed that many women are worried about going back to work after extended periods out of the job market.

The research, which surveyed 600 mothers, found that while most wanted to work, many lacked the confidence to re-enter the workplace, while others were concerned about the effect that going back into full time employment might have on their children. However, whilst the vast majority said that they would say yes to a flexible work placement, they were frustrated by the lack of opportunities and felt that on the whole, employers did not sympathise with the challenges facing working parents.

The survey’s main findings include:

• 53% of mothers say they lack confidence after an extended period out of the job market
• 90% felt that it is very difficult to find flexible work, although the vast majority wanted this so they could balance work and family life.
• 83% feel that it is hard to find flexible jobs which use their skills.
• 95% said childcare was very expensive and 88% said there were not enough flexible childcare options available. 39% of mothers who didn’t work said high childcare costs were a factor.
• 74% said they felt guilty about leaving their children while they worked and 61% worried that their children suffered because they work.
• 55% of survey respondents said employers have little or no understanding of the challenges facing working parents

“Mothers really do want to go back to work but are worried about what it is like to go back to work and the effect on their children. Part of the problem, is that working mothers are often unaware of their right to negotiate flexible solutions to their working lives,” says Gillian Nissim, founder of workingmums.co.uk. “Women should talk to their employer about their concerns and put forward a sound argument for why working flexibly will be positive for the company as well as for them.”

She adds:“They should have a clear idea of what they want before they begin negotiations. Talking to friends who have been in the same position can help.”

Workingmums.co.uk was set up by Gillian Nissim, a mother of 2, two years ago after she was frustrated by the lack of opportunities on offer to women with children.

She concludes: “The good news is that employers are becoming a great deal wiser as to the benefits of offering flexible employment and we are seeing a general positive growth trend in the number of opportunities on offer. Many companies now understand that mums constitute a huge pool of talent, who are keen to use their skills and offer high levels of professionalism and loyalty.”

The poll involved more than 422 respondents