Women still have to decide between family and career
A recent research published by The Economic Journal titled “The Price of Reconciliation: Part-Time Work, Families and Women’s Satisfaction” shows again how women in business are forced to waste their talents to find jobs that allow them to balance their professional and family life. According to the authors of the research a third of female corporate managers moved down the career ladder after having a child and, despite government moves to allow parents of children under six to request flexible working, highly-qualified women still traded job status and responsibility for the hours many felt their family needed.
The results also question part time work as a strategy for women to handle work and family life. Instead of supporting working mothers to take responsibility in leadership positions, companies are constantly allowing female talent to fall through the cracks. While the gender pay gap has been narrowing for women in full-time jobs the pay penalty for the 40% of women who work part-time has risen, reflecting the growing polarisation of part-time jobs in low-wage occupations. As women reorganise their working lives around the presence of children their reported hours and job satisfaction are highest in part-time work, but life-satisfaction is scarcely affected by hours of work. This report explores these issues and their challenge for economic efficiency as well as gender equity. For further information please click here.
