Women still taking on most of childcare responsibilities even when both partners work

Some eighty per cent of women feel guilty about returning to work after having children, compared to just 39% of men and women are still expected to take on the majority of childcare responsibilities even when both parents are working, according to a new study

Some eighty per cent of women feel guilty about returning to work after having children, compared to just 39% of men and women are still expected to take on the majority of childcare responsibilities even when both parents are working, according to a new study.

The research has been undertaken for The Work & Family Show which is due to take place for the first time on 21^st and 22^nd February.

The biggest concern for more than 35% of women was not having the help or understanding from their employer when dealing with the difficult transition from working woman to working mum.  They also worried that their employers would be discriminatory towards them, entrusting them with responsibility and fewer big projects.

Ben Black, Director of My Family Care who, together with Clarion Events, are organising The Work & Family Show, says: “Due to the lack of support from their employers on returning to work, women often feel forced to give up the careers they have trained and worked so hard for in order to fit in their new role of motherhood.  However, it shouldn’t be like this.  Staff need to be supported as they return to work and deal with the challenges that being a working parent can bring.    Employers who respond to their needs will be rewarded with engaged, productive and loyal employees.”

The research also asked fathers how they felt about the transition from working man to working dad.  More than a third (37%) said they returned to work and received no flexibility at all.  One in five, meanwhile, said they wished they had never gone back to work at all, wishing they could take on the full-time role of child carer.

Black added: “So many big companies like Barclays, Discovery Channel and Rolls Royce have made big improvements to their policies to help their parents who work, but these results show there’s a huge deficit.  Women shouldn’t feel restricted in work when they become a mother and a man’s role in bringing up a child has evolved so much in the past 30 years and it’s time that businesses recognise this too.”

Jenny Willott, Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs, will introduce the Work + Family Show which takes place at London’s ExCel. The Show includes a huge range of advice and support for working parents and panel discussions.

Tickets are available from www.theworkandfamilyshow.co.uk from just £12, and people coming to the neighbouring Baby Show will have free entrance.

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