88% of Mothers Face Problems when Returning to Work

Recent research by HR training providers DPG has revealed that less than one-third (32%) of women were able to return to work full time after having children. One in five mothers (19%) ended up leaving their jobs as a result. 

The research, which surveyed 1,000 mothers with children under 16, revealed the most common issues that kept women from returning to the workplace: 

    54% struggled to balance their time between work and childcare

    Over half (52%) were made to feel guilty for leaving their children

    One-third (33%) struggled to cover the costs of childcare

    One in ten (12%) had issues with their mental health relating to their return to work

Respondents to the survey revealed what their employers could do to make the transition back to work easier, allowing them to take on more working hours while balancing them with childcare. The top demands were: 

    Almost half (46%) want flexible working

    30% would like more paid maternity leave

    One in four (26%) would like remote working

    One in five (21%) would like an onsite creche

The research also revealed that, despite the introduction of shared parental leave, women still take 24 times more parental leave than their male counterparts. Mothers take an average of 12.5 months maternity leave, while two-thirds (67%) of fathers take two weeks or less paternity leave, with one in five (22%) taking none at all. 

Sarah Aubrey, CEO at DPG, said about the research: 

“We undertook this research to show where improvements could be made by HR professionals and managers to better support mothers coming back to work. The scope of the problems it has revealed are shocking. 

“Workplaces and organisations need to be more accepting and willing to allow flexible and remote working for employees with children. Effort should also be put into creating an open and accepting work environment where women feel comfortable returning to work when they want, whether this is sooner or later than the norm. Fathers should also be made to feel that they can take time out to bond with their children and share parental leave with their partners.”

About DPG Plc: Developing People Globally (DPG) leads the way with flexible learning solutions that guarantee success in professional qualifications. With over 25 years’ experience delivering innovative and credible quality programmes, we enable professionals to build their capability, drive the performance of their organisation, and fast track their career unlike anyone else. Our philosophy is simple: your success is our success.