A child’s first experience of sport should be something they remember for the rest of their lives

Divorce in the AI age

For busy working parents, AI may seem the cost-effective, efficient way to divorce, but, with sensitive issues involved, it's important to mix the... read more

Report shows impact of back-to-office policies on women

Women at work are more stressed than last year, in part because of return-to-office policies and 44% of those asked to work full time in the office... read more

Debt and the full-time employee

The number of full-time workers seeking debt advice is rising, according to a new report. read more

Can I be moved to another department with less commission?

I have a contract for a certain department at work. I have now been taken off that department and replaced by a zero hours worker.That in itself is... read more

What do the new redundancy rights mean for working parents?

HR expert Kate Palmer from Peninsula outlines your new redundancy rights if you are pregnant or on maternity leave. read more

Report highlights risks of childcare roll-out

The quality of childcare and provision for some vulnerable children may suffer as a result of the rapid roll-out of extensions to free childcare,... read more

Travelling without kids

There are books telling you how to travel with kids. But what about travelling without them when you've been doing it for so many years? read more

Why are young people so unhappy?

The young in the UK, the US and some European countries, according to the World Happiness Report, are less happy today than they were just a few years... read more

Benefits crackdown amid rising inequality

Benefits recipients are once again the target of the Government as it seeks to tackle what it calls the 'sicknote culture'. read more

Self employed and employed? Some things to consider…

More and more people are doing self-employed work on the side of paid employment. What are some of the things you need to consider? read more

Jet2holidays

Rewarding our fantastic colleagues Our growing business wouldn’t be as successful as it is without the hard work and commitment of our fantastic... read more

Government claims success for childcare roll-out

The Government is claiming success for its childcare roll-out, despite ongoing challenges for the early years sector. read more

Finding it hard to focus? You’re not alone

Are our attention spans shortening and, if so, what are the implications for work? read more

Heavy is the burden of the mental load

Alex Molton feels weighed down by the mental load of family life as she considers whether we should just let the family sort themselves out. read more

Chief Information Officer of the Year

Sarah Cunningham, Chief Information Officer at tech firm Arm, speaks to Workingmums.co.uk about her career after winning this year's CIO/CTO of the... read more

Petition launched to exempt nurseries from business rates

A petition has been launched by a nursery owner to make nurseries exempt from business rates and VAT costs. read more

Does taking a consultant job after being made redundant affect my payment?

I have been made redundant after 21 years. The company was sold and I have taken a zero hours contract with the company that took it over - but only... read more

Moving beyond discomfort to inclusive leadership

Nadia Nagamootoo is a chartered psychologist by training, but for over a decade she has been working as an inclusion consultant. A popular podcaster... read more

Roadworks logistics

Roadworks are popping up all over the shop these days, meaning everything takes longer and entailing complicated logistics planning. read more

Poll shows desire for greater pay transparency

The majority of parents would avoid applying for a job where no pay is stated and nearly a quarter are put off applying if a pay range, rather than a... read more

Atom Bank: making a success of the four-day week

The four-day week has been in the news of late, but its success depends on employers adapting it to their own needs, as Atom Bank has found. read more

A light that never goes out

Making good memories is a vital source of resilience, being able to draw on past experiences, past ways of coping, past learnings. read more

Call for universal access to ‘free’ childcare hours

A new report from the Fawcett Society says access to the free hours childcare scheme should not be exclusively for those working or those working over... read more

Returning to work as a part-time manager

Gemma Owen talks about how she has returned from maternity leave to her management job at construction firm Vistry on a part-time basis. read more

The long-term impact of unstable shifts

A study out this week highlighted the long-term health impact of working unstable hours. As we work longer there needs to be more focus on the health... read more

Strengthening DEI at work

Employers are struggling with measuring the effectiveness of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, leading to pushback from senior leadership... read more

AI is key to supporting women and diverse talent in the workplace

As we navigate the changing landscape of workplace dynamics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal tool that can help in the ongoing... read more

What are reasonable adjustments for disability?

My daughter has been working with her company for several years and has a disability - which her workplace knows about - which means she has to have... read more

Why Sure Start worked

Sure Start centres which were well resourced and locally embedded, able to do outreach work to parents, have had an impressive impact. We need to... read more

A rising star in technology

Hafsa Hersi talks to workingmums.co.uk about how she switched from health and social care to a career in technology and about her everywoman in... read more

Preparing children for a future of constant change

Parents are prioritising teaching their children mental resilience and the skills to adapt to rapid change over technical skills, according to a new... read more

Median pay gap falls slightly

The median pay gap between men and women is down slightly on last year, with a fall of around 2% in banking, traditionally the worst sector for the... read more

Navigating the complexities of settlement agreements

Settlement agreements, previously referred to as compromise agreements, play a crucial role in resolving disputes or seeking to avoid them between... read more

Flexibility in work and in life

Flexibility is a way of thinking both in and outside work and parents are experts at it. read more

Southeastern Railway

About the Company Southeastern operates one of the busiest networks in the country, including the UK’s first domestic highspeed service with Javelin... read more

New Wellness Suite for Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank was in the news this week about proposed new menopause pods. The Telegraph reported that the bank is set to introduce “reset and... read more

Why is it all so expensive?

Alex Molton questions how the average person - or family - is supposed to thrive when just being alive is so expensive. read more

Part-time success for Zurich

Zurich has published new figures showing part-time internal promotions have increased by 167% in the last two years and that the number of part-time... read more

Are we losing interest in gender pay reporting?

The deadline for gender pay gap reporting for employers with over 250 workers was yesterday [it’s slightly earlier for public sector... read more

Many parents finding it hard to meet UC conditionality rules

Parents are struggling to meet the new conditionality requirements for Universal Credit, a snap workingmums.co.uk poll shows. read more

Woman of the Year in tech

Asia Sharif, named Woman of the Year in the recent everywoman in technology awards, talks to workingmums.co.uk about her drive to inspire others from... read more

Inspiring others

I’ve spent quite a bit of time over the last week with young people, more than usual perhaps, given that I live with a fair few. And it has been... read more

Government announces clarification on NDA rights

The Government has proposed legislation to clarify the NDAs should not prevent people taking legal action in cases of criminal offences at work. read more

How far have we come on combating racism?

The mental and physical toll of racism and the need for Black people to act strategically to preserve their wellbeing in the face of hatred was... read more

Can I be the only one excluded from a pay rise if I am on maternity leave?

I am currently on maternity leave. Recently, my team members received a pay rise, and I was the only one excluded from this adjustment. When I... read more

How will rising pay rates affect working parents?

In April, statutory payments will rise as they do year upon year. For workers who earn on or around the national minimum wage, this means new wages... read more

Meet the WM People Chair

Patricia Taylor is joining our umbrella company WM People as chair of the board of directors. She has years of experience in HR and as a Board Adviser... read more

Do bullies really prosper?

A new survey suggests child bullies go on to earn more, but is that really surprising given that they often face few consequences and are positively... read more

Discover new opportunities to be your own boss

Advertorial Maybe you don’t know what kind of business you want to run. Have you ever thought about investing in a franchise? This could be the... read more

Academics address five main barriers for working parents

Academics advising Working Families have made five recommendations to address the barriers facing working parents, from boosting Universal Credit to... read more

How to become an exam invigilator

If you are looking for flexible, part-time work over the summer either to fit around childcare or to supplement your income then exam invigilation may... read more

‘Free’ childcare savings affected by fee rises

Parents say savings from the 15 hours of 'free' childcare for two year olds are being diminished by fee rises, according to a Pregnant Then Screwed... read more

Unequal income in older age

The campaign for compensation for women in their 60s affected by the rise in the state pension – to equalise it with that for men – took a... read more

Book review: How not to fit in

Last week was Neurodiversity Celebration Week and a new book not only acts as a guide for anyone interested in understanding neurodiversity, but is... read more

Boost your energy: power foods for juggling work and kids

Feeling exhausted by the demands of work and parenthood? Nutritionist Millie Gardner has some advice on how to boost your energy. read more

Should teachers be compensated for not being able to work from home?

There perhaps won’t be many parents who don’t know that there is a teacher recruitment and retention crisis going on. Every year the... read more

Report highlights long-term earnings penalty for single mums

New data shows single mums earn 53% less than the average man with a knock-on impact on their pensions. read more

How to prepare your CV for a career change

workingmums.co.uk’s annual survey shows a huge appetite for change. 38% of the over 2,000 respondents have retrained in the last three years and... read more

Should temporary job be mine?

I’ve been on a temporary promotion for several years. Originally it was for 12 months and it’s been extended several times since. I’ve had three... read more

Too much going on

At some points in life there is just too much going on. I thought there was a lot going on when my kids were younger, but now I feel that was the... read more

A festival of inclusion

A new hybrid festival that celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] and brings together leading figures in the field to explore latest trends... read more

Early years education in the UK: Falling availability and rising prices

Just days away from the first phase of major expansion to childcare support, new research shows the extent of the childcare availability problems... read more

Murphy: Best for Special Innovation

Dawn Moore from construction firm Murphy talks to workingmums.co.uk about a new innovative programme to employ people on the autistic spectrum. read more

A grown-up approach to change

Every few days there is a furore about working from home and I’ve written about it many times. Last week it was air traffic control when a... read more

Jacobs

With a global workforce of 60,000 employees, including more than 10,000 in the U.K., we’re always on the lookout for talented people to join our... read more

Parents can apply for free childcare for nine month olds from 12th May

The Government has announced that parents can apply for 15 hours free childcare for nine months olds from 12th May, but providers remain 'unconvinced'... read more

Investment companies and the future of early years

Amid all the concerns about nurseries closing due to long-term underfunding of subsidised care, a story out this week claiming some private nurseries... read more

Why do mums struggle to find time for themselves?

Following on from the relative success of a night away with the hubs a few weeks ago, this week I am counting down the days to a night away with my... read more

How does being a single parent affect how and why you work?

We all know that single parents are likely to face more challenges balancing childcare responsibilities as they don’t have a partner to share... read more

Flexible working APPG holds inaugural meeting

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Flexible Working held its inaugural meeting today to capitalise on the introduction of a day one right to request... read more

Can I do a contracting job during maternity leave?

I am a teacher and I will be commencing maternity leave this month. I also do contracting work and have done since 2022.I have been offered another... read more

‘10% of young women opting out of auto-enrolment’

New research from Scottish Widows shows 10 per cent of young women are opting out of their pensions and experts warn the long-term consequences could... read more

Campaign launches for career returners

Sarah Ellis had 14 years financial services experience before she took a six-year caring-related career break, during which time she became a... read more

Different strokes for different folks

The object of workingmums.co.uk is to help working mums, of course, but to do so by promoting all the different ways people can manage work and home... read more

Survey shows resistance to full-time office working

Office workers favour hybrid working, with only 3% saying they would be happy to return to the office full time, according to a Morgan McKinley... read more

Endometriosis at work

Nutritional therapist Millie Gardner outlines the symptoms of endometriosis, how it affects women at work and what they can do to relieve the... read more

The child penalty and how it affects the gender pay gap

During the latter half of the 20th century, the number of working women surged in developed countries, with governments and firms implementing... read more

No new ideas?

What do promises of more tax cuts based on reducing working-age benefits say about the government's priorities? read more

UNESCO study reveals wide scale gender bias in AI

A new UNESCO study shows how biased Large Language Learning models that lie behind AI like ChatGPT can be. read more

Committee calls for ban on NDAs in sexual harassment cases

A Treasury Committee report into sexism in the City calls for a ban on NDAs being used in sexual harassment cases, compulsory publication of salary... read more

Problem-solving on the hoof

Mums are generally great at problem-solving and the longer you’re in this game the bigger the problem that can be thrown your way for you to... read more

Happy Mother’s Day…

It’s Mother’s Day this weekend and also International Women’s Day. A double whammy, if you will. For some it’s all about the... read more

Self-employment: the hidden impact of motherhood on work

Women moving into self-employment due to having children is an understudied impact of motherhood on careers, according to new research. read more

Anger from child poverty groups over Budget

The Chancellor has announced the lifting of the threshold on child benefit as part of a Budget statement which critics say had very little for the... read more

Should my wife be paid more after secondment to a higher paid desk-based team?

My wife put her back out and was seconded to a desk-based team a few years ago. She is still in this team on her previous pay level, although she is... read more

Report charts impact of stress on wellbeing for women in tech

Over three quarters of women in tech are suffering from burnout, according to a new survey, which also shows how lack of role models holds women back. read more

Getting older

I’m older, at least older than I was yesterday. Everyone is. Time ticks on by and we can’t hold it back. So I was interested to hear the... read more

Five ways employers can help you if you are celebrating Ramadan

From 10th March until 9th April 2024, employees across the globe will be observing Ramadan. Ramadan is an Islamic religious holiday. And for Muslims... read more

‘81% of single parents cannot meet new UC requirements’

A survey by Single Parent Rights shows the impact on single parents of changes to Universal Credit rules, which have almost doubled the work... read more

White paper on best practice in recruitment and retention for SMEs launched

How can SMEs stand out from the crowd and what role does flexibility and understand the needs of your workforce play in this? A roundtable of SMEs... read more

Is your manager creating a toxic work environment?

Have you ever been part of a toxic work environment? Did you feel like your higher-ups were failing to protect staff from bullying and harassment?... read more

A grown-up approach to flex

A new survey last week highlighted one of the downsides of working in the office. It made a change from all the focus on the potential negatives of... read more

Tis the season to….book a holiday!

I don’t know about you, but we aren’t very organised this year. Not that we usually have a plethora of weekend plans and staycations... read more

More research needed on women’s reproductive health

There has been quite a bit of news around about the menopause in recent years, although it’s gone a bit quieter recently. Last week the Equality... read more

SLR Consulting

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SLR At SLR, we are a people-focused business and our One Team culture is at the heart of all that we do; helping... read more

Book review: The Future is Greater

The Future is Greater starts dramatically with a description of Maxie Nwaneri’s near-death experience following childbirth.  She recalls feeling... read more

New manager says I can’t continue on night shifts

I've worked for the NHS as bank staff for several years then on contract, always on night shifts due to caring responsibilities. My new manager has... read more

The portfolio career: travel and midwifery

Jenny Barclay has managed to combine a job in travel with training to be a midwife and the two very different worlds have balanced each other out... read more

How mental ill-health shapes the education and economic prospects of young people

A Resolution Foundation report on young people's mental health and the impact on the economy is sobering. Urgent action is needed. read more

Warning over ‘sprint finish’ to move people onto Universal Credit

The rush to transfer people onto Universal Credit could cause real and widespread hardship for the most vulnerable, according to the Child Poverty... read more

‘17% of large employers haven’t conducted gender pay gap reporting yet’

New analysis in advance of the deadline for gender pay gap reporting shows many employers, typically medium-sized businesses, have not carried out... read more

Book review: Languishing by Dr Corey Keyes

Feeling demotivated and as if you are running on empty? A new book looks at the rise of languishing and investigates what can be done to counter it. read more

Organisations oppose plans to bring back tribunal fees

Forty-eight organisations, including the TUC and Maternity Action, have signed a letter opposing the reintroduction of employment tribunal fees. read more

Working on leave

I was talking to a relative the other day who lives and works in the US and had been over in the UK briefly for a funeral. We were comparing holiday... read more

The employment rights you might not know you have

Dealing with problems at work? You’re not alone. Whether you’re dealing with bullying at work, missing out on your chance to take your break... read more

The benefits of thinking differently about work

Despite opposition from some quarters, the 4-Day Week campaign continues and new research emerged this week from the large UK pilot study. According... read more

‘Without flexible working I wouldn’t be able to work’

Udani Perera is events travel coordinator at fast-growing ISON Travel and deals with events across the world, including motor racing events and... read more

Working families on breadline ‘would need to work eight days a week to escape it’

Research from Action for Children shows how low-paid jobs, housing costs, self-employment, ethnicity, location and more mean many parents working full... read more

Investigating the long-term effects of pre-eclampsia

Gemma Hicks didn’t know anything about pre-eclampsia until she noticed one day at school that she felt very odd and that her body was puffing up. ... read more

Capacity issues highlighted for early years providers

Most nurseries, pre-schools and childminders planning to offer the new expanded childcare provision for two year olds will be unable to increase... read more

TUC highlights gender pay gap

TUC analysis shows the gender pay gap is highest for middle aged women, those in the financial services sector and for women in the South East. read more

Taking time off

Half term seems to be changing. While half term dates have always varied in different parts of the UK, they’ve usually been more or less similar... read more

Innovative approach to recruitment and retention in the care sector

We know that the social care sector has difficulty filling vacancies and that low pay is a major disincentive for what can be a very rewarding career.... read more

Navigating parenthood and career: finding my Kadence

As a working parent, life can be unpredictable – to say the least. Balancing the needs of my children with professional responsibilities... read more

Majority in zero hours jobs ‘trapped’, says TUC

Two out of three zero-hours contract workers have been with their current employer for over a year, according to analysis by the TUC, which says this... read more

Study outlines ways to improve WFH

A new umbrella study of working from home shows mixed results and recommends several ways to reduce homeworking. read more

Four years on

It’s been four years today since our daughter died.I write and talk about it often, but I still don’t believe it deep down. I feel I am in... read more

Half term tips

For many half term will have come and gone last week, but for others it all happens this week. It can be a welcome moment to pause, if you can, but... read more

Big increase in parental debt due to cost of living crisis

The cost of living crisis, including rising childcare costs, mean 45.9% of parents in England with a child under the age of five years old say they... read more

Call for doubling of SMP rate

The government should increase the rate of statutory maternity pay (SMP) to £364.70 a week so new mothers are not forced back to work too early,... read more

The changing face of love

It’s been a pretty quiet half term in our house. I’ve been working, the weather has been a bit pants and the kids have been taking it in... read more

A new charity for young people’s mental health

Yesterday was the first meeting of a charity I’ve set up for my daughter. It’s been a while in the making because setting up a charity is... read more

‘High Income Child Benefit Charge is unfair’

A new report on thresholds and tapers for Child Benefit says the current system is unfair and complex. read more

What impact does family size have on career aspirations and attitudes to flexi working?

Workingmums.co.uk’s annual survey results, based on over 2,000 participants’ responses to over 70 questions, provide valuable insights... read more

Should my redundancy pay date from when I changed my hours?

If there hasn’t been a clear break in continuity of service of a week which includes two Saturdays, or if the employee hasn’t already received... read more

Have Gen Z got it right about work life balance?

It’s half term. At least it is for some parents, although not for others. Half term in our house is not happening until next week. The good... read more

Modern romance for working parents

It’s Valentine’s Day and what could be more romantic than sharing the work life load with your partner? A recent Leaders Plus event addressed how... read more

Inside the Loan Charge controversy

The Loan Charge was introduced in 2017 and is a charge on all payroll remuneration through loans made since 1999.  Loan remuneration arrangements... read more

Support for working parents dropping, says report

A new report shows support for parents at work is going into reverse, with a particularly detrimental impact on women. read more

How online picture profiles still affect recruitment prospects

How important is dressing the part still a thing for job success – even in these more informal, more online days? According to a new report by... read more

How to help frontline women workers thrive

Frontline women workers are the backbone of the retail and hospitality sectors. From long hours on the shop floor to managing busy restaurants, cafes... read more

How to beat the anti-woke backlash

The word woke has been weaponised and should instead be celebrated, the WM People Top Employer Awards heard this week. Keynote speaker Jenny Garrett... read more

Dealing with the DEI/flexible working backlash

One of the undercurrents at this year’s Top Employer Awards was backlash and how to deal with it – backlash against flexible working and... read more

What’s next for best practice on family-friendly, flexible and inclusive working?

What makes a good employer and what are the gaps that good employers may be missing? A session at the WM People Top Employer Awards saw the judges... read more

New flexible and family friendly working group launched

A new All-Party Parliamentary Group was launched this week and will promote flexible and family friendly working. read more

Annual leave on gardening leave: what are the rules?

If your contract says that holiday will not roll over (whether statutory or otherwise) then this will be enforceable at the employer’s discretion.... read more

‘Women need to save 19 years more to get the same pension as men’

For women to retire with the same amount of money in their pension savings as a man, they would need to work and save for an extra 19 years on... read more

WM People announces winners of 2024 Top Employer Awards

WM People has announced the winners of the 2024 Top Employer Awards which celebrate the very best companies for diversity and inclusion, flexible... read more

Why pensions are an issue for everyone

This week began with headlines talking about how we might need to keep working until we’re 71 by 2050 due to various demographic factors –... read more

An intersectional approach to equity

Jenny Garrett OBE [pictured below right] is the keynote speaker at this year’s WM People Top Employer Awards. Jenny is  a Coach &... read more

NDAs in the workplace – are they still appropriate?

Non-Disclosure Agreements, or ‘NDAs’ (occasionally referred to as ‘gagging clauses’), were created during the 1940s in the context of maritime... read more

Internal parental to-do lists

There are big moments throughout childhood, but the GCSEs and applying for university are up there among them. We’ve been through both several... read more

How do we tackle increasing polarisation between girls and boys

The latest report from the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership makes for sobering reading. It shows that polarisation on gender equality... read more

Spring is in the air!

Well, it seems that the long cold winter people always complain about is easing and the skies are brightening again with the promise of warmer... read more

Survey shows growing polarisation of young people on gender equality

A new survey by the Global Institute for Women's Leadership on attitudes to feminism and gender equality shows a growing divide between younger men... read more

Economic abuse rising due to cost of living crisis

Job Centre Plus staff need better training and understanding to help victims of economic and domestic abuse back to work, a Women and Equalities... read more

Call for childcare support for postgraduate students

Leaders of four UK universities are urging the Government to extend the Childcare Grant for undergraduates to postgraduate students. The... read more

Employment tribunal fees the sequel

The Government is consulting on introducing fees for employment tribunals. It’s in response to the burgeoning backlog of cases. But the last... read more

Disability poll shows popularity of flexible working

Only 1% of people with a disability say that flexible working is not important for them, according to a snap poll on workingmums.co.uk, with 38%... read more

Report highlights endemic misogyny in music industry

A new report on women in the music industry by the Women and Equalities Committee finds endemic sexism and recommends a series of actions, including... read more

Book review: How we break

We all seem to feel tired these days, and parents more than most. A lot of us feel so tired we are on the point of breaking, both physically and... read more

Government consulting on employment tribunal fees

The Government has announced that it is consulting on re-introducing employment tribunal fees despite the Supreme Court throwing this out in 2017. read more

Careers advice: How to move into freelancing

I have been working as a communications officer in an IT company. I was working three days from home and two in the office, but my employer has... read more

Parenting: a series of transitions

There’s a lot of change when children are very young. Everything seems to be phase-based and as soon as you’ve mastered one phase it all... read more

Career change: from PR to stylist

Many people change direction multiple times in their working lives and it can take time to figure out what you really want to do. Bella Hignett is one... read more

Early years in an election year

Childcare is going to be big this year. The Government’s extended plans for ‘free’ childcare will start to come into effect amid... read more

Company analyses top family-friendly firms

Insurance company Aviva has the best parental leave and reproductive health policies in the FTSE100, according to a new study, with JD Sports and... read more

Murphy

At Murphy we believe our people are our greatest asset. This is why they are at the heart of our company and everything we do as part of our purpose... read more

Local authorities express concern about ‘free’ childcare expansion plans

Local authorities across England are worried they will not have sufficient childcare places to meet parental demand for places for two year olds when... read more

How to access the extended childcare funding for 2 year olds

The Department for Education has announced that applications are open for eligible working parents of two-year-olds to receive 15 hours funded... read more

Employer saying my redundancy pay only relates to when I went part time

If there hasn’t been a clear break in continuity of service of a week which includes two Saturdays, or if the employee hasn’t already received... read more

More women in work

According to the Office for National Statistics, women are continuing to increase their hours while men are reducing theirs. Figures released this... read more

Top tips for parents returning to work

Leaders Plus, a social enterprise focused on aiding career progression after parental leave, has put together some tips for those returning to work... read more

117 years for gender parity at CEO level in the UK

The UK's leading companies will not reach gender parity at CEO level for 117 years , well behind many comparable countries, according to a new study. read more

Why women say their productivity improves with remote working and men don’t

Do workers perceive themselves as more productive when they are given greater autonomy and are enabled to work remotely more often? To answer this... read more

Government announces workaround on two-year-old childcare offer

The Government has announced a workaround for parents accessing the new two-year-old funding offer after reports of technical problems in addition to... read more

Report calls for national summit on mental health at work

A new report from Mental Health UK shows 20% of workers have had to take time off work due to stress and burnout. read more

Do we have a right to work remotely?

A tribunal ruling published last week, touted as a landmark judgment, found against a senior manager who had been working remotely since Covid and... read more

Why people with long-term health conditions require good flexible work

Social isolation, stigma and discrimination might describe how many women with long-term health conditions are feeling during the austerity of the... read more

What makes some people more motivated than others?

Our daughter is a force of nature. Whatever she puts her mind to, she is pretty likely to succeed at, which for one so young is pretty darn... read more

Do parents need more support or does work need to fit our lives better?

A survey out this week from REC Parenting had some unsurprising findings. A huge 93 per cent of working parents feel having employers that are... read more

Significant challenges for wraparound childcare

Local authorities are facing significant challenges in making sure that parents have access to wraparound childcare that meets their needs due to... read more

Smart Working for people doing hands-on, site-specific and highly secure work

Smart working guru Andy Lake’s new book Beyond Hybrid Working is just out. In this extract, Andy, editor of Flexibility.co.uk and one of the... read more

Siblings: a complex, ever-evolving relationship

Some research came out this week on sibling relationships. The US and China study of secondary schoolchildren found children from larger families had... read more

The impact of childcare breakdown on work

Nearly one in five parents whose paid childcare has broken down in the last six months have had to leave their job as a result, according to a... read more

Wave

The culture at Wave is everything you’d hope it to be and we welcome working mums, working dads and people of all ages. We’re committed to a... read more

Call for review of extended childcare funding rates

Parents in London struggle to access childcare more than in other regions in England, particularly parents of a child who is disabled or has special... read more

Book review: The Life Brief by Bonnie Wan

It’s the new year and when better to think about what you want from life? A new book takes the format of an advertising brief – ‘making... read more

Falling numbers of women at top levels in financial services sector

A new report from EY shows a worrying decrease in the appointment of female board directors at UK financial services firms over the last year, while a... read more

New 2 year olds childcare offer in ‘chaos’

Parents are in ‘complete chaos’ trying to access the new 15 hours ‘free’ childcare scheme for two year olds, according to a survey by... read more

The motherhood penalty: reduced pay and lower quality jobs

Having a child is bad for a woman’s earnings. This is not only in the immediate period after the birth, but across her lifetime – as shown in... read more

Saying goodbye

My partner and I have been to a lot of funerals in the last few years. This weekend we were at a friend’s – the mum of my daughter’s... read more

The long Covid tail

The bit between Christmas and New Year is traditionally a period where germs seem to do their worst. That means many people end up delaying their... read more

Side hustle tax implications: what you need to know

Last week, HMRC spelt out the tax situation for people who make extra money on the side by buying and selling items online for a profit. From 1st... read more

Addressing six common CV myths for jobseekers

The internet is full of advice on how to write a CV. As a result, there are a lot of conflicting tips about best practices and what information you... read more

Many parents being asked to pay to put their kids on nursery waiting lists

Parents are spending on average £71 per child to place them on waiting lists for nursery places, with no real security of gaining a place, according... read more

Do I have a right to enhanced maternity pay after years on fixed-term contracts?

I have worked on a series of continuous fixed-term contracts for four years as an employee. I am pregnant and have previously been told that I am... read more

Getting kids back to school

Labour is reported to be considering introducing legislation to place a legal duty on councils in England to keep a register of all children who are... read more

How to ask for more pay

With the soaring cost of living eroding pay packets, many people will be looking to secure a pay rise in 2024.  To give you the greatest chance of... read more

Women in painting and decorating

Although 60,972 more women joined the construction industry between 2009 and 2019, CareerSmart data shows that women make up just 4.8% of painters and... read more

Report highlights ethnicity gender pay gap

A new report from the Fawcett Society shows that women from different ethnic groups face a combination of gender and race-based discrimination when it... read more

How to be happier at work

Way back in February 2020, before most of us really knew anything about COVID, we wrote an article for The Conversation about “leaveism” and its... read more

Is remote working bad for women’s careers?

Is working from home bad for women? That was the thesis of a December article in iNews by Rhiannon Picton-James... read more

Tis the season of resolutions….

So there we are, Christmas is done for another year and we are back to the grindstone. I don’t know about you but I did actually have quite a... read more

Welcome back

It’s back to school day – at least where we live – and secondary school students will be being dragged from their beds in what, for... read more

Creating football-focused clothing for girls

It’s undoubtedly an exciting time for women in football and the girls who will follow them. Fresh off the back of Mary Earps being named BBC Sports... read more

7 Smart Ways That Mums Can Boost Their Careers

Being a mother – whether to small kids or moody teenagers – can be a full-time job in itself. With most of your time dedicated towards your little... read more

New employment rights for 2024

There are several employment rights changes coming in in 2024 in England, Scotland and Wales, covering everything from flexible working to protection... read more

Back to the grindstone

It’s the beginning of the January sprint. The problem is that the month is starting from a period of relative standstill so cranking up to the... read more

What are the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2024?

New year, new job, right? According to recruitment specialist Hays over half [51%] of people intend to look for a new job this year. And half [47%] of... read more

Applications open for 2 year olds childcare offer

Applications for the first phase of the Government’s extended childcare subsidy offer open today, with working parents of eligible two-year-olds... read more

Zero-hours contracts: your rights

2024 will see many new employment-related laws coming into effect, from a day one right to request flexible working to tougher protections from sexual... read more

Richest families set to do best from tax changes, says analysis

British households will be poorer by around 4 per cent or £1,200 on average at the end of this parliament than at its start for the first time on... read more

Review of 2023: September to December

September Workingmums.co.uk launched its first Return to Work Week and published the results of its annual survey, showing the extent of the debt... read more

Labour reported to be considering more nursery places in schools

The Times splashed today with a report that the Labour Party is planning to boost the number of nursery places in primary schools in order to address... read more

Review of 2023: May to August

May A report from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development found that the gender pay gap has lowered year on year, but is the same as... read more

Review of 2023: January to April

January The year began much as it finished… with strikes for higher wages amid rising prices and following years of austerity. January saw teacher... read more

Workingmums.co.uk guide to xmas

Christmas is, of course, nearly upon us. Congratulations. You have made it this far through the December madness of work life overdrive. Many people... read more

Towards a Christmas collapse – hopefully

It’s the end of the week and Christmas is looming. I think everything is done. For many it’s a tricky time of year, and it certainly is... read more

Lidl doubles enhanced maternity pay

Lidl GB has become the first supermarket to introduce 28 weeks full pay for employees on maternity or adoption leave. From 1st January 2024, enhanced... read more

Is your employer family friendly?

The Executive Coaching Consultancy [ECC] created the Parental Fog Cross-Industry Index six years ago to highlight the need for the Times Top 100... read more

On secondment and pregnant & original role is being made redundant

Congratulations on your pregnancy. I am sorry to read about the redundancy situation affecting your substantive role and your worries about how this... read more

Christmas birthdays

Today is my oldest daughter’s birthday. Except that she is no longer the oldest because she was killed nearly four years ago. It still... read more

An award-winning catering business on her own terms

Cait Salanson’s three children – aged 15, 14 and 11 – have grown up with her catering business, The Little Kitchen Company.  In fact,... read more

Auto Trader

Flexible working Our hybrid model, Connected Working, combines the best of both worlds – office and home working. With Connected Working,... read more

Getting more women into telecoms

Women are not numerous in field technician roles in the telecommunications industry. On average they make up just 13% of the technician workforce in... read more

Safety on the way home from work

Last week it was reported that a woman who worked late-night shifts at a takeaway shop had won a discrimination case after her male boss ignored her... read more

Beyond hybrid working

Employers can resist the move towards more flexible ways of working that technology is delivering, play catch-up or actively embrace it and be... read more

WMPeople announces 2024 Top Employer Awards shortlist

Twenty-six employers have been shortlisted for the 2024 WM People’s Top Employer awards which celebrate the very best companies for diversity and... read more

Secondary school Christmas

It’s Christmas…nearly. So that means school-related Christmas events and demands. Secondary school is a relatively Christmas-free zone... read more

Gap between minimum wage and basic living costs increases for families

The cost of raising a child has risen to £166,000 for a couple and £220,000 for a lone parent this year due to high inflation, but benefit cuts and... read more

Government seeking to clarify the legal standing of NDAs

The Government is looking to find a way to clarify that non-disclosure agreements [NDAs] used by some employers to silence people who have been ... read more

Day one flex to begin from April

New regulations that are coming into effect in April include a day one right to request flexible working, unpaid carers leave and extended protection... read more

Kiddleydivey Limited

Do you want to have flexibility in working hours and a full-time salary? Then come and join our team! Kiddleydivey is a great opportunity for... read more

Should Christmas closures count as leave for those on maternity leave?

Although not referred to as a contractual entitlement in the employment contract or treated internally as annual leave, I understand from your query... read more

What do the new rules on part-time holidays mean?

The law on holidays for irregular, zero hours and term-time workers is changing…again. The Supreme Court ruled last year that employees who only... read more

Are we all slackers after Covid?

Or are we just too exhausted and dejected, and did Covid actually shine a light for many on what matters? read more

Woman of the year 2023

workingmums.co.uk speaks to Helen Cannon, winner of this year's everywoman Woman of the Year award. read more

Report charts falling spending on three and four year olds

Spending on three and four year olds is likely to be 12% below 2012-13 levels by next year once providers’ rising costs are taken into account,... read more

It’s not just the pandemic

Why the pandemic has only worsened existing trends such as rising mental health issues among young people or economic inactivity rates rather than... read more

Top tips to write an executive-level CV

As we move into 2024, many people will take time to reflect on their goals. Whether you’re ready to transition into your first executive-level role... read more

Maternity cover rules if someone is not returning after leave

I’m not clear from your query whether the employee on maternity leave has resigned with immediate effect, purely given her contractual notice... read more

Tis the season to be croaking

It’s December. Everyone in the house is either ill or has been ill. Almost every second person I talk to has been ill, including... read more

So the lurgy finally caught up with me….

Having not had a proper cold for about three years, this week I have been floored by the latest round of lurgy doing the rounds at the kids’... read more

Adaptive resilience: how to thrive in a digital era

In a world of AI and worries about the threats it presents, a new book outlines a vision of how businesses can thrive using AI by putting humans at... read more

Shooting ourselves in the foot over immigration

The immigration changes announced this week are personal to my family. I’ll say that from the off. My husband is Spanish. He works in social... read more

How is ChatGPT being used in the workplace?

It has been just over a year since the launch of ChatGPT, and in that time the AI tool has become a gamechanger in the tech world. It notched up 100... read more

The perceived part-time career penalty

Younger people and managers are more likely to think part-time working limits career progression, according to a new survey from Timewise. read more

Parents held back from progression, says report

Parents are being held back at work and their skills are being underutilised because of a lack of flexible working in senior roles, unrealistic... read more

Business before bananas: workplace health that focuses on healthy work

Emma-Louise Fusari knows a thing or two about health, having been a nurse for 21 years. She is now bringing that expertise to the workplace at a time... read more

Podcast highlights business start-up advice

The last episode of this series of the Mums.Dads.Work podcast focuses on advice for people looking to set up their own businesses. read more

New Act aims to prevent sexual harassment at work

A new Act which emphasises employers' duty to take preventive action against sexual harassment at work has received Royal Assent. read more

The table of love & loss

This time of year can be a difficult one for many bereaved people. And when someone has died suddenly it can trigger a lot of reliving and feelings of... read more

Booking.com

Mission: Make it easier for everyone to experience the world Our business by the numbers: 1000+ Experiments taking place at any given time 150+... read more

Supporting women back to work

How can we best help people into work who want to work, but face a whole layer of interconnected barriers? There has been a lot of focus from... read more

Leadership for change

What is leadership these days and what do women bring to the table in leadership roles? According to a new book, everyone can be a leader in their own... read more

Job responsibilities changed after maternity leave

I am sorry to read about the situation you are facing returning to work and the changes to your role. It doesn’t sound as though this situation has... read more

Survey highlights bias and discrimination about young women

A new survey by the Young Women's Trust finds 15% of HR managers think men are more suited to senior jobs than women. read more

‘Maternal mental health needs to be higher up the agenda at work’

Maternal mental health problems are very prevalent, yet few employers mention them in their policies to support working parents, the All-Party... read more

Childcare providers concerned about funding rates

Childcare provider organisations have reacted with anger at the release of funding rates to local authorities for childcare. The rates announced are... read more

Shazam! Are parents superhuman or merely mortal?

I have a lot of time for anything that changes the narrative of mums and dads in children’s literature. Daddy Pig, for instance, could have been... read more

British Transport Police: doing a job that makes a difference

The British Transport Police has just become the first UK police force to launch a proactive part-time jobs campaign. The aim is to broaden its talent... read more

Loneliness at work: it’s not just a remote working thing

There has been a lot of focus on loneliness and isolation at work in relation to remote working, but remote workers who work from cafes or co-working... read more

‘Women stuck in functional roles that bar progression to the top’

Only a fifth of commercial roles on FTSE350 executive committees are occupied by women, according to a new report by gender consultancy The Pipeline.... read more

From career transition to job shares: free career resources for you

Last week was National Older Workers Week on our sister site workingwise.co.uk.... read more

Why we need to talk more about care

Many of us are already and many more will become carers in the future, looking after older relatives or partners. Emily Kenway’s recent book Who... read more

Are more young men turning against gender equality and, if so, why?

This week was International Men’s Day and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership [GIWL] held an event on involved fatherhood and... read more

I just want to play football

So, here we are, back into the depths of football season. Rainy Saturday mornings spent on the sidelines, car journeys here there and everywhere and a... read more

‘40% of Autumn Statement measures favour the rich’

Around 40 per cent of the gains from the tax and benefit measures announced in the Autumn Statement will go to the richest fifth of the population,... read more

Pinot & Picasso

Master the Art of Your Future     Pinot & Picasso is one of the fastest-growing entertainment franchises and leader of the paint &... read more

Towards more involved fatherhood

The division of hours worked is a crucial issue when it comes to sharing care more equally between mums and dads, rather than social attitudes,... read more

Autumn Statement sees NICS cuts and a rise in the minimum wage

The Autumn Statement included National Insurance cuts and an increase in the national living wage, but the response has focused more on what... read more

‘Flexible working needs to be the default in higher paid jobs’

Making flexible work the default in high-quality, high-paid jobs is essential if the gender pay gap is to close in less than 28 years, according to a... read more

Forcing the sick off benefits?

The papers have been caught up in speculation about tax cuts ahead of the Autumn Statement. But who will pay for them? It looks like the most... read more

Making it easier to report sexual harassment at work

There has been a lot in the news of late about sexual harassment at work. Whether it’s the CBI, McDonald’s or the Ministry of Defence, employers... read more

Report catalogues sexism and sexual assault in the NHS

A new report by Surviving in Scrubs catalogues 150 cases of sexism, sexual harassment and assault within the NHS, mostly by senior doctors. read more

A business with a family feel

Lizzie Carroll's business Haus Distribution is based not just on distributing beautiful household products, but on building a supportive, empathetic ... read more

Report warns childcare plans may increase ‘childcare desert’ gap

More than 1.5 million children in England are living in ​“childcare deserts”, where there are more than three children for every early years... read more

Podcast highlights career reinvention

Midlife career transition is the theme of this week’s Mums.Dad.Work podcast. As our sister site workingwise.co.uk prepares to celebrate... read more

Parenting job no.42: roadie

There are many roles that parents take on in the course of their lives that they may not have contemplated pre-baby. Psychologist, taxi driver, nurse,... read more

Children’s welfare organisations call for benefits to rise with inflation

Child Poverty Action Group and organisations representing children’s doctors, school leaders and social workers are calling on the Chancellor to... read more

Why flexible working should be at the core of any staff mental health policy

As the backlash against remote and hybrid working continues with Amazon reported to have a bar on promoting anyone who doesn’t return to the... read more

Why National Older Workers Week could be for you

Join us during National Older Workers Week >> Are you an older parent? Or just looking to change jobs? If so, National Older Workers... read more

Divide and conquer: the high price of the UK’s failure to support working parents

Parenthood in the UK is “economically unviable” for the average parent, according to a new set of two books argues. The books, Divide and Conquer,... read more

Job adverts failing to advertise flexible options

Timewise's Flexible Jobs Index shows almost no improvement in the number of job vacancies advertised as flexible. read more

Childcare experts ‘extremely concerned’ about funding rates for three and four year olds

The Government’s childcare funding announcement has left providers with an average increase of just 32p per hour for three and four year olds,... read more

To have your best career, you need to know what makes you distinctive

Listening to a podcast interview with Anna Catalano (named as one of “The Most Powerful Women in International Business” by Fortune Magazine)... read more

The 4-Day Week joins the culture wars

The political fall-out from the Government’s attempts to stop public bodies from taking part in the 4-Day Week trial continues. The 4-Day Week... read more

Analysis shows potential funding shortfall for parents for ‘free childcare’

Parents could face paying £19.50 a week on average, or over £1,000 a year, to fill the childcare funding gap between what the Government pays for... read more

Can my manager give me no hours after I reported on him?

The answer to your question around whether you have any ability to bring legal claims against your employer will, in part, depend upon your employment... read more

Calls for action as one in five kids with SEND misses out on early years places

One in five families with children needing SEND in early years face being turned away from a provision setting due to their child’s needs, according... read more

From property finance to leather goods entrepreneur

everywoman award finalist Jennifer Brown talks to workingmums.co.uk about her company Pampeano. read more

Survey highlights added stress of wraparound care problems

Lack of access to wraparound care is causing huge stress for many working parents, according to a new survey. The survey by Koru Kids of 2,000 parents... read more

Job market trends for 2024

As we approach the end of the year, lots of people start to think about making a change in their careers. It’s important to be aware of what trends... read more

Insecure work at a time of financial instability

Job and financial insecurity go hand in hand. While many in work are struggling financially with the after-effects of inflation and interest rate... read more

The clock changes and flexible working schedules: your employment rights

The clock going back an hour may seem a small thing, but Karen Holden, from A City Law Firm, says it can have a big impact on parents. Time changes of... read more

Childcare, poverty and sanctions

A report this week about who is being most affected by childcare closures confirmed what a lot of anecdotal reports have been saying. A Guardian... read more

Fears for childcare in most deprived areas

Nearly a third of not-for-profit nurseries in England’s most-deprived areas have closed or been privatised between 2018 and 2022, amid fears that... read more

New rules aim to simplify annual leave calculations

The Government has published new rules on holiday pay and leave calculations for people on irregular or part-year contracts, including term-time... read more

Careers After Babies: an accreditation scheme for parent-friendly employers

When Jessica Heagren put a survey for working mothers on her LinkedIn page last year, she thought she might get 100 responses if she was lucky. Within... read more

‘Women bearing brunt of cost of living debt crisis’

Women are disproportionately being affected by the cost of living crisis, according to a new report by debt crisis charity StepChange. The report... read more

The long tail of the Covid pandemic

Surveys are everywhere these days, but a recent US one caught my eye. It was from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and found... read more

Keeping safe

workingmums.co.uk speaks to Emma Kay, founder of WalkSafe, the personal safety app, who is up for an award at this year's everywoman awards. read more

A template for women at work

Writers of books on women’s career progression might get the odd letter of appreciation and affect individual change, but Diana Parkes’ book,... read more

From employment rights to wraparound childcare

Employment rights advice is at the centre of the next Mums.Dads.Work podcast, released today. Hosts Ben Falk, editor of workingdads.co.uk, and Mandy... read more

Acting up allowance removed after maternity leave

I’m sorry to hear that this has happened to you whilst off work on maternity leave. The main starting point is that all employees should be... read more

‘Motherhood penalty’ has pushed a tenth of working mums to leave a job

'Motherhood penalty' has pushed a tenth of working mums to leave a job

New polling shows that 11% of working mothers with children aged four and under have left a job due to the challenges of balancing work and childcare.... read more

Concerns over staffing amid childcare expansion

Over half of nursery staff [57%] and 38% of childminders are considering quitting the sector in the next year, according to a survey by the Early... read more

Parents as problem solvers

Parents are problem solvers. Every day we are confronted by small and sometimes large challenges and we try to work our way around them, whether that... read more

The Covid inquiry: what have we learnt?

The evidence coming out of the Covid inquiry about the alleged macho culture that existed at the heart of Government is not really surprising. We know... read more

Yeah, I still like hanging out with you….

Half term survived So, we survived the half-term holiday and are now hurdling headlong into the last half of the school term. Actually we had a good... read more

More than a business: Rugrat and Half Pints

workingmums.co.uk speaks to Caroline Bevan, founder of Rugrats and Half Pints about her soft play centre and nursery business and why she is up for a... read more

Can my employer force me to stop breastfeeding?

An employee who wishes to breastfeed and who, as a result, requires certain adjustments to their working conditions is entitled to make a flexible... read more

Practical advice on getting a new job or career

The jobs market is very volatile these days. On the one hand, there is a growing number of redundancies. On the other, there are still labour... read more

The WFH backlash continues

The backlash against any alternative to the work status quo pre-Covid continues, driven by the Government who seem to be turning flexible and... read more

Why contracting might be right for you

Working mums with well-developed skills who are looking to earn good money without the commitment of permanent employment might wish to consider... read more

Support for employees who are experiencing fertility issues

According to the NHS website, one in seven couples may struggle to conceive a child. And when an employee is trying to get pregnant without success,... read more

AI at work: why engagement matters

AI is all over the news at the moment. Mainly the reports focus on the threats of AI and the need for regulation. There are, of course, all sorts of... read more

Wraparound childcare money being allocated to local authorities

Local authorities are today receiving details of their allocation from the £289 million wraparound childcare fund for new and expanded provision of... read more

My family diary: After-school meltdowns

It’s 7.50am on a Wednesday and I’m stuck in an intense argument about rainbow building blocks. There probably isn’t a good time to have this... read more

How do you get young people off screens?

Half term is easier to manage as kids get older. This is mainly because young people tend to sleep in in their teenage years and to mooch into view at... read more

Survey shows appetite for flexible working

Over three quarters (77%) of working parents remain passionate about their industry, but nine in 10 (88%) would be interested in more part-time or... read more

A guide to working for an umbrella company

Do you want to work as a freelancer or contractor to get more flexibility? The terrain has become more complicated in recent years. Since the... read more

Benefits rules tightened for parents of children over three

The Government has announced that from today parents of children over three who are on Universal Credit will have to seek up to 30 hours of work a... read more

A flexible culture where everyone benefits

ICT is changing and some employers are leading the way, doing all they can to attract and, importantly, keep women. Imperial College London’s ICT... read more

Should we all go on strike for gender equality?

Iceland’s female Prime Minister joined a nationwide strike yesterday over the gender pay gap and gender-based violence. Women refused to do any... read more

New report highlights the role of ESG in achieving gender equality

The target for executive women on boards should be raised to 40% to ‘spur momentum’ on gender equality at work, with the scope of the... read more

Somerset woman wins pregnancy discrimination case

A Somerset woman has won her pregnancy discrimination case, after a cheese company moved her into a lower paid role while she was expecting a baby.... read more

How to research a potential employer

When searching for a new job, taking the time to research a potential employer is an important step in the process. Whether you’re making a career... read more

WM People podcast focuses on paternity leave & career progression

The third episode of the Mums.Dads.Work podcast is out today, featuring an interview with careers expert Liz Sebag-Montefiore from 10Eighty. The... read more

Half term lie-ins

It’s half term. Already. Although not for some and not in Scotland where in some parts – as in the Midlands – they are struggling to... read more

Yay, we made it!

First term done Hooray! The kids break up today so we have finally got to half term. Phew. The term has whizzed by actually, but has been rammed full... read more

Is your pay rising in line with inflation?

Have you had an above inflation pay rise this year? From the reports in the papers this week based on Office for National Statistics reports, you’d think most people had. They report that average weekly earnings in the three months to August were up 8.1% compared with the same period last year, slowing from 8.5% in the three months to July – higher than average inflation over the same three months. Yet I don’t know anyone who has had an 8.1% rise and our workingmums.co.uk survey suggests most people are not getting big pay increases. The survey took place over the summer and only a fifth (22%) said their pay had risen in line with or more than inflation, with 41% saying they haven’t had […] read more

Job being changed for maternity leave. What are my rights on return?

If you consider that you are being bullied at work and you do not feel that your concerns have been properly addressed you could consider formalising... read more

Getting more women into business and tech

How do we get greater gender diversity across all levels of business, particularly in technology? A two-day event in London this week, Karren... read more

Return to work hostility

Have you encountered judgmental remarks or looks on your return to work from maternity leave? Have you been made to feel that you have come back too... read more

Family law and the menopause

Jennifer Williamson is keen to improve how family lawyers treat their clients. She has recently written a free book, A Practical Guide to Menopause... read more

Blueprint launched for early years education

The National Day Nurseries Association has launched its Blueprint for Early Education and Care* with a call for a national commission into the future... read more

How I’m preparing for my third maternity leave

Annie Abelman, who runs the Mentor Mums service for parents returning to work, has written a blog for us about preparing for her own upcoming break.... read more

Birmingham agrees way forward on equal pay

Birmingham City Council, which declared itself bankrupt last month, has agreed a way forward with the unions when it comes to addressing the enormous... read more

Q&A: Anna Mathur on mothers and mental health

Anna Mathur is a psychotherapist who has built a specialism in mothers’ mental health. She hosts a podcast, writes books, and posts on Instagram... read more

The late shift

As a parent of older children, I spend a lot of my time in the car so on Thursday night after a busy week I was gearing up to drive to Finchley Road... read more

Making it easier for mums to take legal action

There’s been a lot of talk about childcare at the various party conferences as childcare has moved further up the political agenda, At the... read more

Almost half of remote workers feel they are being passed over for promotion

Significant numbers of remote and hybrid workers are not being fully included in the workplace, according to new research from workingmums.co.uk.... read more

HMRC to check gig workers are paying correct tax

HMRC is reported to be preparing to launch a tax crackdown on side hustles and the wider gig economy. The new rules, effective from January 1st, will... read more

Can I be held back because I’m too good at my job?

Unfortunately, if the reason for wanting to keep you in your current role is genuinely that you are so good at it that they don’t want to promote... read more

Almost half of all mums are struggling with their mental health

New research from workingmums.co.uk shows the worsening mental health situation for mothers and their children as almost half of all mums (48%) say... read more

Review of early years announced by Labour

Labour has announced plans for a review of early years led by Sir David Bell, the former Chief Inspector of Schools, who will work with the party to... read more

Books about mums and dads…

The most recent edition of the Mums.Dads.Work podcast the workingdads’ editor Ben Falk and I discussed books by parents about parenting. There... read more

How is the cost of living crisis affecting the way mums work?

workingmums’ recently published annual survey shows the impact financial struggles are having on parents, not just in terms of debt, but also... read more

What counts as workplace bullying?

Advertorial What counts as workplace bullying? Rhian Radia, Partner and Head of Employment, and Marianne Johnson, Employment Solicitor of law firm... read more

Petition calls for career breaks for parents of sick kids

A petition calling for employers to offer career breaks for parents of seriously ill children has gained over 91,000 signatures. The petition was... read more

A revolution in postpartum support?

For most women the period after childbirth is characterised by a mixture of physical, mental and emotional upheaval. Yet support for many women... read more

The big flexible working divide

Last week there was depressing news on the remote and hybrid working front. The KPMG 2023 CEO Outlook survey, which included 150 CEOs of some of the... read more

Second episode of podcast focuses on flexible working rights

Mental health of parents and their children and flexible working rights are the subject of the new episode of the Mums.Dads.Work podcast out today.... read more

How is it so hard to find time together? We live in the same house….

I was excited this week. After a few weeks of negotiating, I’d managed to organise a babysitter who doesn’t mind the dog and could watch... read more

Will parents ever get a lie-in?

You’d think when your kids get older and leave school that your life might be a sea of tranquillity and weekend lie-ins. No more being woken up... read more

Why supporting mental wellbeing at work matters

Sarah Hurst’s husband died in 2019, four months after a shock cancer diagnosis.  Her children were 10, eight and five at the time. She speaks... read more

Report highlights lack of venture capital funding for female-led AI start-ups

Female-founded companies account for under 3% of venture capital (VC) funding deals involving AI start-ups, according to new analysis. A new report,... read more

Rebelling against the stereotypes

I was watching the tv the other day and an ad popped up. It was what is probably called ’empowering’ in the business. It was about middle... read more

Why a stricter Universal Credit regime is bad for mums

I set up a government petition about the new proposals that parents on Universal Credit must now work 30 hours per week in order to receive benefits,... read more

Employment tribunals rule in favour of hybrid worker and menopausal woman

A woman who had been allowed to work from home several days a week due to her caring responsibilities for her elderly mother has won a case against... read more

Closing the funding gap must be the next priority for UK enterprise

The visibility and number of successful female founders has come a long way over the past two decades, but the funding gap remains the biggest... read more

Term-time rights concerning annual leave

Holiday entitlement for term-time workers is complicated as this is an area of law that has seen lots of recent changes. We would need further... read more

Flexible working: your rights on return to work

There has been a lot of publicity about changes to flexible working legislation and the granting of a day one right to request flexible working, but... read more

Mental health of children and parents: the workplace impact

Mental health - of both parents and their children - is becoming a growing concern and is impacting the workplace. read more

Parents need flexible working to support wellbeing

Two in five (39%) working parents of children under 18 say they’d like mental health support in the workplace, according to a new poll. The... read more

Thinking of a career change?

Are you thinking of changing career or sector? Many of us are these days, often because we feel undervalued and overworked in our own sector or... read more

My family diary: Mama is off to school

It’s 9.02am on a Thursday and I’m racing down the road that leads to the school gate. Well, I’m lurching down the road with a pram that has one... read more

The cost of not offering flexibility

More proof of the chaos being created by the pressure to work more days in the office came this week with a survey by flexible childcare site Pebble.... read more

Childcare costs force parents to reduce their hours or leave their jobs

One in five parents of preschoolers in households earning less than £50k is leaving the workforce due to the cost of childcare, according to a new... read more

Returning to or transferring to tech

Are you looking to return to a career in technology or thinking of switching sectors to technology? A webinar at Return to Work Week explored the... read more

Redundancy likely after maternity leave

When you have your meeting with HR, you should focus on getting some clarity from them as to whether or not your role is actually going to be placed... read more

“It’s one of the best things I’ve done”

Chandra Gardner talks to workingmums.co.uk about what motivated her to become a SmartPA franchisee and why she hasn't looked back since. read more

The commuting gap

I’ve been commiserating with a friend whose partner is away on work this week. I’m in a similar position except my partner is away for... read more

Return to Work Week: Day one

Workingmums.co.uk’s Return to Work Week, which runs from 25th to 29th September, kicked off yesterday with a range of events on everything from how... read more

‘Many of the poorest won’t benefit from childcare extension’

The poorest third of families will see almost no direct benefit from the extension of free childcare because funding is targeted at working parents,... read more

Work For Yourself with Stagecoach Performing Arts

Make a Positive Impact in Your Community with a Stagecoach Performing Arts Franchise... read more

Lib Dems vote through new early years and parental leave plans

Liberal Democrat members have backed new policies on parental leave and early years education, including more free hours of childcare for lower paid... read more

Podcast launches second series

The new series of the podcast that brings together workingmums.co.uk and workingdads.co.uk is launching today with a new name and a new format.... read more

Back to work with some practical support

This week is workingmums.co.uk’s first Return to Work Week, with information and advice on everything related to getting back to work after a... read more

Call for action to cut UC deductions

Many families are being thrown into greater financial distress due to deductions from their benefits, in many cases to pay back advances made to tide... read more

The multiple ways the cost of living crisis is hitting mums

Our annual survey results are out this week and I’ve been talking to lots of mums about how they are coping in the current cost of living... read more

52% of mothers struggling with thousands of pounds of debt

New research has revealed the extent of the debt among mothers and its impact on their own mental health and that of their children. According to... read more

Workingmums Survey: Full Results 2023

2,069 people responded to our 2023 Annual workingmums.co.uk survey. 84.48% of respondents are female, with ethnicity closely matching the UK’s... read more

Autumn reflections

September is probably my favourite time of the year – sunny days interspersed with some wild winds, dark, colder evening (so we all actually... read more

Survey shows more support for gender equality

Social attitudes towards traditional gender roles have changed dramatically in the 40 years since the UK’s leading social attitudes survey... read more

Combining art and relaxation

workingmums.co.uk talks to Pinot & Picasso about running an art-based franchise. read more

Bill on right to request predictable hours gets Royal Assent

A new Bill which gives workers on zero hours contracts the right to ask for more predictable working hours has received Royal Assent. The Workers... read more

Back to the school run

How long have the schools been back? It feels like forever and work cranked up as soon as September 1st loomed on the calendar. The first day was... read more

Mental health and young people: one parent’s story

Sir Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, recently advised parents to send their anxious children to school because he said keeping... read more

Report shows social and economic benefits of hybrid and remote working

Hybrid and remote working has boosted the number of women, particularly mums, who can work full time, with three quarters of hybrid workers saying it... read more

‘One part of my life was on fire and the other part was a bit meh’

Melissa Gauge from SpareMyTime talks to workingmums.co.uk about why having children made her more creative and more eager to learn - and how she is... read more

The IVF Network: A knowledge hub for patients and their employers

When Charlotte Gentry was going through her four-year IVF journey, which lasted from 2016 until her son was born in 2020, she often fell down internet... read more

Freshers week

It’s freshers week, which means lots of parents up and down the country have been on the motorways over the weekend, their cars packed with... read more

Watch: Working flexibly as a Virtual Assistant

Apply Now Life as a working mum… It’s a rewarding but challenging balance of navigating family commitments and career aspirations. We all know the... read more

Why are young girls getting sadder?

A new Girlguiding annual report says girls are less happy than since they started doing their reports. That's the future female workforce so what can... read more

Reaching out across the age divide

Amid talk of a relaxation in the triple lock pension, there has been a lot of discussion about intergenerational inequality. Often such discussions... read more

A festival for professional women

Today sees the first major festival of a series organised by Serena Fordham, creator of ProspHER, to help women who want to build their professional... read more

What does my mum do? Competition winner

Back in the summer – remember that? – workingmums.co.uk held a competition for kids to draw what they think their mum does all day long in... read more

Parent role no.103: driving instructor

Among the many associate parent jobs one strikes particular fear in the heart. Driving instructor. I confess that I am not the most relaxed person in... read more

Giving female founders a roadmap to investment

Karen Holden, founder of A City Law Firm, set up the Female Founders Growth programme to help women founders to scale their businesses.  A recent... read more

Workingmums.co.uk guide: Perinatal mental health and returning to work

In this Workingmums.co.uk guide, we try to answer some of the main questions you might have around perinatal mental health issues and preparing to... read more

Equal pay claims are a necessary cost for a more equal society

The long-term impact of an important equal pay ruling on Birmingham City Council has made the headlines over the last week. The ruling has been blamed... read more

Survey shows widespread opposition to relaxing childcare ratios

Parents are opposed to the Government’s decision to increase ratios in nurseries, which a Pregnant Then Screwed poll showing 98% are against it.... read more

Back to school workarounds

And they’re back! Just about. Only son was due back yesterday. At around 11am I got a call from my mum. Did I know that his school was on The... read more

Here we go again….back on the old school treadmill

I don’t know how it was for you, but in our house the summer holidays went by in a flash. I guess that’s a good thing, given the lack of... read more

Should I have got one-off pay boost on maternity leave?

While I have been on maternity leave my colleagues had a one-off pay rise. This was not a performance-related bonus, but a flat rate paid to all... read more

Voters support investment in early years

A new report from the Early Education and Childcare Coalition (EECC) has revealed that For 42% of British voters, childcare and early education... read more

Back to work: Tips for managing your finances after a career break

There’s lots to get your head around if you’re coming back to work after a break. You might be focused on how you’ll pay for childcare, or you... read more

Revolting women: why midlife women are walking out

After years of almost nothing, there has been a small trickle of books on older women of late, perhaps encouraged by the interest in the menopause due... read more

Go, go , go – the September onslaught

It’s the first full week back since the holidays and, even though many schools are not back yet and some are facing temporary closure due to the... read more

Scotland’s first minister announces plan to boost childcare

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf has announced new measures to improve childcare. Yousaf today announced a pilot to provide more... read more

Jo Jingles Ltd

🌟 Step Into the Jo Jingles Experience: A Franchise That is making a different ‘One Jingle at a time’! 🌟 Say hello to Jo Jingles, your guide... read more

Stuck in a benefits trap

For Caroline Rice the support she received from her local Jobcentre when she was looking for work was neither empathetic nor helpful. What’s... read more

The impact of the pressure to go back to the office on gender equality

Last week there was an interesting report on Bloomberg about the potential impact of the pressure to go back to the office. It said men’s... read more

The physical restrictions of being pregnant at work

If work wasn’t stressful enough, try adding pregnancy into the mix. Being a pregnant worker is limiting, especially in a physically demanding line... read more

My family’s diary: Starting school

It’s 4.45pm on a Tuesday and I’m doing the nursery pick-up. My four-year-old daughter is in the garden, wearing autumn clothes now that the... read more

Over 45? Then take part in our workingwise.co.uk survey

Workingmums’ sister site workingwise.co.uk is looking to hear from older people about their experiences of job search, flexible working, health... read more

Last-minute homework

It’s that time in the holidays when people discover they have a homework project to do. Only son revealed on Wednesday a Japanese project. I... read more

Should I have lower targets if I don’t work full time?

The area of law would be around potential breach of contract.  You need to look at your contract of employment and the terms and conditions... read more

Early years gets another new minister

The Government has appointed a new children’s minister in a mini Cabinet reshuffle, making the new appointee the  eighth minister responsible... read more

Summer book club: Mother tongue

Mother Tongue is described on the front cover as “a gem of a book” by author Kate Mosse. And a gem it is – so richly layered, not just... read more

Tax credits: people not moving over to Universal Credit

Over a quarter of tax credit claimants [28%] who are required to move to universal credit (UC) as it replaces older benefits have not claimed UC and... read more

The Rubiales affair and why it matters

The weekend news was taken over by the Spanish football fiasco. In our house it’s an even bigger issue as my partner is Spanish [Catalan] and... read more

A guide to debt management

Debt is a huge issue for parents today, with our annual survey showing many have thousands of pounds to pay back and are using everything from... read more

Stagecoach Performing Arts

Our central goal is to provide a range of inspiring, relevant, and sustained performing arts opportunities for young people of all ages, backgrounds,... read more

Childcare providers across England struggling to find staff, councils say

Every English region is struggling to recruit childcare workers, according to a new analysis published today by the Trades Union Congress (TUC). ... read more

Unions call for change to SMP rules for striking workers

Two of the UK’s major unions have backed calls for pregnant women who go on strike during their qualifying period for maternity pay not to be... read more

Summer book club: Feminism against progress

Feminism is facing a definite moment of self-reflection of late and two recent books provide much food for thought, even if you don’t agree with... read more

How to become a virtual PA

Becoming a virtual PA can prove to be an inspired career move, especially for working parents looking to establish a flexible, home-based business.... read more

The downsides of the work life merge

The work life merge is having complicated side effects. Over the last few years due to technological advances, propelled by Covid, people have been... read more

How to keep positive in a more difficult jobs market

As Office for National Statistics figures show rising redundancies and warnings abound that we are on the brink of recession while many of us are... read more

Flexible working for social impact

Angela Wanja has been working as a virtual assistant for mainly US, UK and Canadian companies from Kenya since the Covid pandemic badly hit her events... read more

Sign Up For Event Reminders

read more

Summer book club: Matrescence

“When a human animal grew inside my body, I started to realise that some hoodwinking had been going on. When she left my body, I noticed more.”... read more

Who owns care in the UK?

This week we published an article on private equity firms’ interest in UK childcare. It’s a complicated subject. Childcare badly needs... read more

Coalition formed to present unified voice on childcare

A new organisation has been formed to present a united voice on childcare and early years education in advance of the general election. The Early... read more

Explainer: Nurseries and investment companies

When you’re a busy working parent looking for a childcare place, a nursery’s financial structures might be the last thing on your mind. But who... read more

Business Analyst: The skills you need

We explore what this role involves and what business analyst skills are in most demand. What do business analysts do? The role of a business analyst... read more

Government urges landlords to let childminders work at home

The government is trying to boost the number of childminders by calling for a review of their tenancy rights, amid concerns that childcare shortages... read more

The cruelty of the criminal justice system

I woke up today to the news about Lucy Letby refusing to come to court to be sentenced. I’d only just been talking about this to a friend the... read more

Return To Work Week launches

Looking to return to work after maternity leave or a short or longer spell out of the workplace? workingmums.co.uk is launching its first Return To... read more

The dying embers of the summer holidays

This is said to be the crunch point for many parents in the summer holidays. There are two more weeks to go [although not in Scotland who went on... read more

Maternity leave: how and when to begin conversations with your employer

Updated in August 2023 It’s true to say that having a baby is perhaps the most special time in a woman’s life. It’s also likely that it’s a... read more

Parents feeling the pressure over summer childcare

Over half of parents think the stress of covering the summer holiday period has a negative impact on their career, according to a new poll timed to... read more

A Level results

Yesterday was A Levels day. We have not been able to talk about the A Levels in our house in the month leading up to results day. On Wednesday... read more

Working in recruitment – 5 skills you need

There are a few key skills that are particularly important when working in the recruitment industry. Do you have the right abilities and aptitude to... read more

Summer holiday reflections

So, we’re over halfway through now. I am uncharacteristically organised about the return to school this year (uniforms bought, stationary... read more

Summer book club: The List

The List is any working person’s nightmare and one that seems more and more likely in an era when it seems social media can destroy you overnight.... read more

‘Ask women what they need after maternity leave’

Kim Syvread’s workplace had changed entirely when she returned from maternity leave last year. There were just 42 employees when she left and nine... read more

ONS labour stats suggest difficult times ahead

The latest labour market figures make for sobering reading. Employment fell during the three months from April to June while unemployment is up. The... read more

Marketing job descriptions and responsibilities

In the vast and ever-evolving world of marketing, there are many roles and job titles that you will come across in job advertisements. Business today... read more

Skills you need to work in digital marketing

Digital marketing is a desirable industry to get into, with a wide range of roles, an interesting and rewarding career path and plenty of jobs on... read more

Are working mums rare in children’s picture-books?

It’s 6am on a Wednesday and I’m reading Belinda Brown to my two-year-old while he sits on his potty. Just as we finish the book, my four-year-old... read more

Entain: Setting up a women’s network in a male-dominated sector

Entain: Setting up a women’s network in a male-dominated sector

Lizzie Crutchfield’s network at the sports betting and gaming company has grown into a group of 160 women in just over a year.... read more

How to answer the ‘strengths and weaknesses’ interview question

How do you answer that perennial interview question: tell me about your strengths and weaknesses? Workingmums.co.uk has some advice. read more

Your rights at work: Can your employer change your hours?

If your employer is seeking to change your hours, the first thing you need to do is look at your contract to check the wording. There may be a clause,... read more

Retraining after having children

Training is a big issue for working mums – whether it’s missing out on training for career progression or retraining into a different career after... read more

How to lower your childcare bill

Childcare costs continue to rise. And despite a Government announcement of more ‘free’ childcare for children over nine months over the... read more

Summer book club: Mama Still Got It

“Mummy, watch!” “Canihaveasnack?” “Mummy, Mummy, watch!” “When can we go home?” “Mummy, Mummy, Mummy, watch!” The noise and chaos... read more

Working from home in the summer holidays

It’s the holidays and the beauty of working from home and having teenagers is that they sleep most of the morning and are fairly self... read more

Women ‘a third more likely to be bullied at work’

Leamington Spa-based law firm Wright Hassall recently conducted a nationally representative survey into bullying and/or harassment at work. The study... read more

Work For Yourself Wednesday

read more

Career Transition Thursday

read more

Transformation through coaching

Jo Davies talks about her move into coaching and her ambitions to make it more widely available. read more

Tech Tuesday

read more

Jobseeker Day

read more

Cost of nannies rising by 11%

Salaries for full-time nannies have increased by 11% in the past year, according to figures from Nannytax, which says demand is being driven by... read more

Experimenting for a more sustainable working life

The 4-Day Week Global campaign announced recently that employers who took part in a four-day week trial have continued to reduce their hours six... read more

Is there some light at the end of the tunnel for au pairs?

Childcare is a massive issue for UK parents – not just its cost but its availability as more and more childcare providers close. Au pairs may... read more

How the new flexible working law may affect you

Laura Jennings from A City Law Firm explains what the new flexible working legislation means and how to go about getting the best outcome when you... read more

Motherhood penalty worse for women from different ethnic minorities

A new report from the Fawcett Society looks at the difference in motherhood gaps for women from different ethnic minorities. read more

Been overpaid benefits? What can you do?

“Single mothers on postgraduate courses say they are being unfairly pursued by the Department for Work and Pensions [DWP] over thousands of... read more

Summer book club: What about men?

On the flap of What about men?  it says: “If men haven’t yet answered the question ‘what about men?’, it’s going to be up to a busy woman... read more

‘Majority of providers will not be able to meet increased demand for childcare’

Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England will be unable to provide enough early years places to match the increased demand caused by the... read more

Report highlights importance of organisational culture in retaining women

Childcare, menopause and other family-related issues are not the key reasons women leave their jobs, according to a new report which says the way they... read more

Week one, done

So, it’s not been the most relaxing start to the long summer holidays, with son#1 still reeling from an awful virus which seems to have taken... read more

Cyber security and the work life merge

Work is becoming embedded into more and more parts of our lives. Every year surveys circulate about people working on holiday or not taking a holiday... read more

‘Focus on support, not sanctions to get parents into work’

Over 100 parents and carers are calling on the Government to reform the benefits system to help people get into and on in work by scrapping punitive... read more

More parents not accessing formal childcare

The number of parents using formal childcare has fallen since 2018, despite a long term trend towards more mums working full time as the cost of... read more

Hours continue to fall after four-day week trial

Employers who took part in a global four-day week trial have continued to reduce their hours six months afterwards, with those hours dropping on... read more

Returning to work: how coaching can help

Returning to work after a break (of any sort) can feel daunting, but returning after parental leave can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Barefoot... read more

Work intensity is leaving many exhausted – especially women, says TUC

More than half of UK workers feel work is getting more intense and demanding, with 61% saying they feel exhausted by the end of most working days... read more

Eezee Estate Agents

The Estate Agency sector is competitive but we have been working hard over the past year to build an estate agency platform that allows us to support... read more

Can I cancel holiday if I am on gardening leave?

I would recommend that you revisit your contract to clarify what the contractual obligations are in these circumstances. Your employer does not have... read more

Call for business rates and VAT to be abolished for nurseries

The Government should remove business rates and VAT from nurseries and support an expansion in childminding capacity, according to a report from the... read more

Should the school summer holidays be shorter?

If you’re a working parent, you might feel like you’re at the start of an endurance test this week: the summer holidays have begun.  Many... read more

Flexible working changes, but it’s only a small step forward

Flexible working legislation is changing – but not until next year – and it’s not probably going to make a lot of difference to most... read more

STEM returner scheme opens for parents and carers

STEM returner scheme opens for parents and carers

A free programme aims to help people in the Midlands and the North of England who want to get back into their careers after a break.... read more

‘Labour shortages will get worse’

Labour shortages in the UK are likely to get worse, according to new analysis which shows that employment growth in the UK is set to slow dramatically... read more

What to do in a quieter job market

If you have been on the job market for a while, you might be wondering why it seems like there are fewer opportunities available in the summer months.... read more

Benefit-related changes introduced for parents of one and two year olds

Tighter benefits rules have been introduced from today for parents of one and two year olds as the Government looks to fill labour shortages. To avoid... read more

Diversity levels in venture capital firms deemed ‘unacceptable’

A Treasury Select Committee report has called for urgent action to address the lack of diversity in venture capital firms and the businesses they... read more

Summer book club: What’s Wrong With Me?

Early on in her book, Lorraine Candy describes her Whatsapp groups with her middle-aged female friends, to provide a snapshot of this often-tumultuous... read more

Barbie everywhere

Like many people, it seems, I went to see Barbie over the weekend. I haven’t been to the cinema for a while, mainly because there has been... read more

Government consultation misses central childcare funding issue, say providers

The Government has announced a consultation on the introduction of the new entitlements for working parents of children aged nine months to two years.... read more

Welcome to the world of school admin

It’s 9.20pm on a Monday and I’m trying to sign up for Cool Milk. If your children aren’t yet old enough for you to know what Cool Milk is, enjoy... read more

It’s the summer holidays: what do I do?

The summer holidays are upon us which brings up the perennial problem of what to do to get the kids through them without spending too much money in... read more

Flexible working legislation gets Royal Assent

New flexible working legislation has been given Royal Assent, with the Government confirming that secondary legislation granting a day one right to... read more

What do you do all day, mum?

What do our children really think of what we do all day when we are working? As part of a summer series, we are asking parents to get their children... read more

Flexible Working Friday

read more

Job description changed, but I’m getting no more pay

Job evaluations can be complex, but are often driven by an employer’s desire to ensure that the process is efficient and effective as an... read more

Summer childcare challenge

It’s the summer holidays and while the kids may welcome a break, it’s a long one and, in a cost of living crisis, an expensive one for... read more

52% of mums claim pregnancy or maternity discrimination

Over half of mums say they have faced some form of discrimination when pregnant, on maternity leave or when they returned to work, according to a new... read more

How should we use AI at work?

Artificial Intelligence is making the headlines in all areas these days, including the workplace, with many employees understandably concerned about... read more

McDonald’s issues apology over sexual harassment claims

McDonald’s has issued a deep apology after a BBC investigation revealed multiple allegations of sexual harassment and bullying at... read more

Summer childcare shortages on the rise, England’s councils say

Less than a quarter of English councils say there is enough summer holiday childcare in their area for parents who work full-time, an annual survey... read more

How to become a holiday fixer

Do you want to change sector? Britt-Marie Monks jumped from telecomms to travel after being made redundant and is keen to help others looking to take... read more

Call for abolition of two-child limit and benefit cap

The benefit cap and the two-child limit on child tax credit or universal credit have caused hardship to tens of thousands of families, with both... read more

A career based on a love for transport

Rebecca Rathore has worked in transport for 22 years, starting with a Saturday job with National Express while she was at university and rising to her... read more

Reading for work and for leisure

I’ve got quite a few books on the go at any given time as I mix reading for work and for my own interest, although it is often hard to find the... read more

Bill on sexual harassment at work diluted

The TUC has criticised the Government after amendments passed to the Worker Protection Bill mean it no longer includes a new duty on employers to... read more

Flexible working: what difference will the new legislation make?

Flexible working legislation is changing. New legislation has just got Royal Assent, although secondary legislation will be required when it comes to... read more

Health statistics and exhaustion

While we are focused on helping older workers back to the workforce, we mustn't neglect the generation below them who need support to stop them... read more

Mums are tired you say? It’s not news to us!

I read an article recently about a survey of working mums, which concluded, in essence, that we are tired. To be honest, this isn’t news.... read more

What do you do all day – in your children’s eyes?

Mandy Garner is editor of workingmums.co.uk. She has four children, the youngest of whom is 13-year-old Gael. He drew the picture above of his... read more

Parents as partners: a different type of nursery

At Scallywags nursery in east London, you won’t just see parents for a few moments at drop-off and pick-up, as they rush to and from work.... read more

‘Early years policy could widen inequality’

The Government’s planned expansion of ‘free’ early years places in England risks widening gaps in child development and worsening... read more

Report calls for action to make job shares easier

The Government needs to axe outdated the tax rules preventing more people taking up job-sharing roles, according to a new report. A new White Paper... read more

Campaign launches for nanny regulation

A campaign run by two nannies is calling for the regulation of nannies in the UK. The “Road to Nanny Regulation” builds on the previous... read more

What higher interest rates mean for you

The Bank of England (BOE) raised interest rates by 0.5 percentage points to 5% on 22nd June, leaving the base rate at its highest level since 2008.... read more

On the recruitment rollercoaster

The jobs market has been on a bit of a rollercoaster ride over the past few years and we now seem to be in a period of maximum caution about the road... read more

How to explore the hidden jobs market

Are you struggling to find the job you want after taking time out or being made redundant? If so, how active have you been exploring the hidden job... read more

Getting more women into the rail & haulage sectors

Anika Shenfield talks to workingmums.co.uk about her role as learning and development manager for Pentalver and Freightliner and how she helped create... read more

Adapting to the different life stages

As a new parent, there is a big focus on the different stages of development. From the early days of night wakings [unless you’re very lucky] to... read more

Campaigners criticise ‘disappointing’ funding rates for expanded childcare places

Childcare campaigners have expressed disappointment over the increased funding rates for childcare places in England announced today by the... read more

How to improve digital wellbeing at work

This week saw the launch of a European Charter for Digital Workplace Wellbeing. The aim in part is to improve working conditions and protect remote... read more

What is it that you do, mum?

Working mums, what do your children think you do all day? We’re compiling a gallery of drawings and paintings of mums by their children about... read more

Vistage

Vistage is a global organisation that brings together business leaders from various industries in a collaborative and supportive community. With a... read more

Labour spells out childcare plans

Labour has pledged to work with the early years and childcare sector to build capacity, initially by removing legislative barriers to local... read more

Could you use a granny au pair?

Are you looking to save money on your childcare fees and do you have a spare room? If so, the Granny Aupair agency may be what you need. Just like... read more

Almost 90% of English councils fear significant rise in nursery closures

Almost nine in ten councils in England are concerned that there will be a significant rise in nursery closures this year, casting further doubts over... read more

Transition to Parenthood study: how do SMEs support working parents?

Working parents’ experiences at small and medium-sized businesses are being explored in a three-year research project, which hopes to fill an... read more

The Change and why middle age is about more than menopause

I watched the first episode of The Change the other day on Channel 4. I’d been putting it off to be honest as I wasn’t convinced about the... read more

Return To Work Week

read more

Mental health crisis: one mum’s story

Celia Cooper* knows the value of a supportive employer when you have a child with serious mental health problems. Her teenage daughter went through... read more

Q&A: Mari Soppela’s glass ceiling documentary

Mari Soppela’s new documentary, ‘It’s Raining Women’, follows a woman who takes her employer to court after finding out that she is paid... read more

Council responds to four-day week criticism

A local government minister has formally requested that a local authority stop a four-day week trial because it is not value for money. Lee Rowley... read more

Mental health and young people: the impact on work

There’s a lot of concern around at the moment about younger workers’ mental health. Studies show higher levels of economic inactivity... read more

SPL evaluation shows take-up remains in low numbers

Shared Parental Leave [SPL] has mostly benefited older, higher paid, white, highly qualified employees who work in large organisations, according to... read more

Inappropriate conduct in the workplace: your rights

Unwanted conduct in the workplace and elsewhere is something that women frequently suffer and as employment solicitors we are sadly instructed on this... read more

Phone rage

I once asked my son what he thought I did for a living. “Stare at the computer all day and then get very cross,” he said. This is the kind... read more

Race in the UK workplace: why an intersectional approach is vital

A new report from McKinsey highlights the importance of taking an intersectional approach to pay and career progression. read more

Mums’ poll shows big interest in day one flex

Over two thirds [67%] of working mums say they are likely to request flexible working from day one in a new job when flexible working legislation... read more

Half of UK workers would consider using “day one” flexible working rights

Half of UK workers would consider requesting flexible working on “day one” of a new job, research shows, with legal rights around this issue... read more

Is working from home responsible for all the problems of the world?

Not a day goes by, it seems, without someone taking a pop at working from home. Working from home, including hybrid working, appears to be to blame... read more

Nursery closures rise by 50%, NDNA research shows

Nursery closures in England rose significantly in 2022-23, with a 50% increase compared to the previous year, according to research released today by... read more

Is Facebook’s job algorithm sexist?

Facebook’s algorithm is perpetuating gender bias when it comes to job adverts, new research suggests, with big differences between the vacancies... read more

Was life always this bad?

“Was it as bad in your day, mum?” asked daughter three the other day. I was trying to lift her spirits so I said that indeed there were a... read more

How to negotiate flexible working

With new flexible working legislation on the cards, putting more emphasis on employers, it will still be important to show you have thought through... read more

Young women lose out on £5,000 a year compared to men at start of their careers

Young women are losing out on over £5,000 a year compared to young men because they’re being funnelled into low-paid jobs and sectors, and getting... read more

International report sets England’s childcare in context

Only 39% of under threes in England are in early years provision, according to an international study by Ofsted. The number is lower than in European... read more

So, where does the time go…..?

As we approach another long summer holiday I have been reflecting, as I do every year, on the successes, challenges and stand-out moments from this... read more

Letting go

It’s the end of the A Levels. Hoorah! “How did the last one go”” I asked daughter three. “Worse than expected, similar... read more

OECD report calls for stronger action on gender pay gaps

OECD countries should expand the share of firms covered by pay gap reporting rules to include SMEs and include temporary workers as well as... read more

Angela Rayner: why diversity will help Labour win

Diversity will strengthen the Labour Party and will help it to win general elections, Angela Rayner told a Global Institute for Women’s Leadership... read more

Can I turn down a job in another team after maternity leave?

Employees who take the full 12 months off for maternity leave are entitled to return to the same job with their employer unless it is not... read more

What do the recruitment swings mean for jobseekers?

Redundancy rates have been rising over the last months after a period of labour shortages, with the Office for National Statistics reporting the rate... read more

Mental health and children: how are parents coping?

Fiona has three children. One son is doing his A levels and has an offer from Oxford. Her daughter has suffered bullying at school with a significant... read more

Maternity mental health crisis linked to low SMP rates

Poor levels of statutory maternity and paternity pay combined with the ongoing cost of living crisis are leading to a mental health crisis and are... read more

WM People launches Best Practice Report

WMPeople.co.uk has launched its 2023 Best Practice Report, which aims to highlight employer best practice in everything from flexible working,... read more

Why good quality work matters, particularly now

What is good work? A report out last week from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development [CIPD] looked at seven key areas which it... read more

Here’s to absent fathers

It’s Father’s Day this weekend and so, naturally, thoughts turn to the dads of the world. But people’s experience of their dads... read more

A passionate call for more investment in early years

The childcare sector is overworked, overwhelmed and at risk of burnout, the Early Years Alliance [EYA] annual conference heard last night. Neil... read more

Report highlights lack of skills and expertise diversity in top boardrooms

While the number of women on FTSE All-Share boards has continued to rise this year, there continues to be little gender diversity in executive roles,... read more

The economic case for better paternity leave

Elliott Rae’s daughter was born with a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection which meant she required emergency treatment in hospital for two weeks.... read more

Take part in our annual survey

The 2023 workingmums survey is now closed The 2023 workingmums.co.uk survey has launched, with a focus on the ongoing challenges faced by parents in... read more

Should we give up on universal childcare?

Labour is reported to have ruled out universal free childcare for children over nine months. That will come as a disappointment to many campaigners.... read more

Q&A: Paul Morgan-Bentley on his book “The Equal Parent”

Paul Morgan-Bentley, head of investigations at The Times, lives in Buckinghamshire with his husband Robin and their three-year-old son Solly (who was... read more

Father’s Day is coming…

It’s Father’s Day next weekend and so there are inevitably several polls out about paternity leave. You can understand why it seems an... read more

How do we need to change recruitment for the digital age?

How should hiring change in a changing world of work? What kind of protections do we need if we are applying for jobs online? How do we ensure... read more

My family diary: lads on tour

“The only way to enjoy it is to let go of all the rules,” a friend advises me, as we sit in our local park. “Also – have you bought... read more

Will you love me if I fail?

The A Levels keep on coming. There was a brief respite during half term, when the revision timetable went slightly off course, but we’re back on... read more

Half of fathers take less paternity leave than they want, new poll shows

Half of fathers take less paternity leave than they want to and a fifth take no leave at all, according to a new poll that highlights the low level of... read more

Making remote working better after Covid

If you go by the news reports in the UK, a confused picture is emerging about work trends. While many employers are seeking a return to something... read more

Metroline

Your personal development matters to us If you become a Metroline employee, you will be offered a whole range of training and development. To... read more

What are the implications of AI for you?

Artificial intelligence [AI] is all over the news, with warnings that it could lead to the end of humanity unless properly regulated. But how is that... read more

Why care matters

It’s National Carers Week and the statistics being released are alarming. Carers UK is highlighting the number of unpaid carers who are missing... read more

How to deal with harassment at work

With high profile harassment cases in the papers and news drawing attention to attempts to talk out legislation on sexual harassment at work, experts... read more

How to reduce stress during pregnancy

We are all fully aware that we are living in a high stress age; there are numerous awareness months and days and our own life experiences to remind... read more

From career cushioning to second jobs

A poll by recruiter Robert Walters published last week shows that 37% of workers have taken steps to prepare to look for another job. The firm says... read more

No evidence that two-child benefit cap aids employment

There is no evidence that the two-child cap on child benefit increases employment, according to a new study. The LSE study, Making work pay? The... read more

Reading and resilience

How do you get kids to read these days? The competition is fierce from screen-based entertainment. It’s not that they’re not learning... read more

Diversity: the recipe for innovation

The ongoing lack of women in science is damaging science innovation and everyone needs to play their part in addressing all the various reasons that... read more

A dual career due to flexible working

Ruth Astle is able to combine her job at Lloyds Banking Group and being a professional athlete due to her employer's flexibility. read more

Increase in childcare support for parents on UC

The Government has announced that increases in childcare support for parents on Universal Credit will come into effect from 28th June. The 46% rise in... read more

Amazon to offer parents term-time-only working

Amazon has launched a new term-time contract for parents, grandparents and guardians and is piloting a new flexible part-time contract. The term-time... read more

Why are new mothers not taking their maternity leave?

Research suggests that maternity leave offers a lot of benefits to mothers and their families. Recovery time. Bonding time with their newborn baby. A... read more

Why we need more, better data

There’s been a lot of concern of late about technology, its ability to change our lives for the worse and how it may embed bias. The author and... read more

Focus on purpose

The skills and talents of all of us need to be harnessed to address the urgent global challenges we face as a planet, Baroness Martha Lane-Fox told... read more

Top overall employer 2023: Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group has been a leader in agile working for many years, but they are by no means complacent. Like many employers they have taken the... read more

Helping women to get to the top and stay there

Nicola Marsh has a dual role at media agency EssenceMediacom. She is Managing Director of EssenceMediacom North Group and MD of Google Practice UK.... read more

A Levels…for parents

It’s a stressful time for many teenagers at the moment, particularly those doing GCSEs and A Levels. My daughter is one of them and it’s... read more

Childcare money will ‘disproportionately benefit higher income families’

The Government’s planned £4 billion investment in childcare will disproportionately benefit higher income families unless it is retargeted to help... read more

A creative approach to childcare

CocoRio’s early years were a baptism of fire. Launched just before Covid it offers a creative childcare solution to parents in the Greater... read more

Under 35s increasingly proactive about seeking family-friendly employers

Under 35s expect to achieve career success without sacrificing their personal lives, according to a new survey. The poll of 1,750 workers for the... read more

Employer trying to rescind work from home after trial

As part of your flexible working request, you asked for two things: to work from home permanently and on compressed hours and the employer’s letter... read more

Pay transparency: what’s next?

There have been many attempts to achieve greater pay transparency in the past, with much resistance from some quarters. Greater pay transparency is... read more

Why we need better, more local data to promote gender equality

A new gender index will draw on census data to give a local picture of gender inequality, a panel discussion heard yesterday. The panel, hosted by the... read more

Campaigners welcome neonatal progress, but call for swifter implementation

Campaigners are urging the Government not to delay implementation of new legislation on neonatal care after it cleared the final approval stage today.... read more

A joined-up approach to remote working

What happens when you combine the movement towards greater remote working, accelerated by Covid, and a focus on social impact innovation? A joined-up... read more

Vanquis Banking Group

Welcome to Vanquis Banking Group! As a working mother, you want a job that not only values your skills and experience but also understands your unique... read more

How attitudes to returners are changing

While returner programmes used to be dominated by parents who had taken a career break to raise young children, the last few years have seen more and... read more

What is the mental load?

AI is everywhere these days it seems. So it comes as no surprise that it is being used to supposedly address the so-called ‘cognitive’ or... read more

How to become a bookkeeper

Many people think about retraining as a bookkeeper, as this can be a well paid, flexible and interesting role. In this article explore how to become a... read more

Start financial education at home with a Junior ISA

We all want the best for our children. For many parents, that involves setting aside money to help them learn to drive, pay for university or buy a... read more

Should the office be the default workplace?

There is somewhat of a myth being created about office working of late that comes at a time when more and more companies are increasing the number of... read more

My family diary: Norovirus hell

I haven’t slept for two nights and everything is covered in a thin film of vomit. I am never not holding a child, and our washing machine has never... read more

40 percent of lower paid parents in debt due to childcare costs

Four in 10 working parents on lower incomes have gone into debt to pay for childcare, according to new research from Working Families and law firm... read more

Surviving in Scrubs: a campaign against sexism in healthcare

The Surviving in Scrubs website has a “Testimonies” section that makes for sobering reading. Here, over 150 medics have shared their experiences... read more

A fifth consider leaving work due to lack of fertility support

A fifth of people experiencing fertility challenges have considered leaving work due to their experience in work while undergoing fertility treatment... read more

ServiceNow: People do their best work when they feel at their best

Shyamantha Asokan speaks to Shakira Talbot about her experience of being promoted twice after different maternity leaves at ServiceNow, which won this... read more

Do we need a right to disconnect?

This week it was leaked that the Labour party is to introduce “right to switch off” rules if elected, restricting employers from contacting their... read more

The key areas we need to focus on for maximum impact on gender equality

The rate of progress on gender equality seems to have slowed in recent years so we need to prioritise key areas which will have maximum impact, a... read more

Working for a small or big company – which is best?

Is it better working for a small company or a big one? The answer will depend on what’s most important to you in your career. There are eight key... read more

A company that delivers on wellbeing

Jason Matthews is a Senior Technical Talent Partner at agetech firm birdie and his experience of working in recruitment makes him very aware of the... read more

Is it really easier to have three or more children than two?

There are a few parenting myths that have grown up over time. Some are the soft lies you tell those expecting about the birthing process so they... read more

Poll shows high level of sexual harassment in the workplace

Three in five (58%) women – and almost two-thirds (62%) of women aged between 25 and 34 – say they have experienced sexual harassment, bullying or... read more

Are employers really committed to gender diversity?

The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development published some startling statistics this week., showing that the number of employers issuing... read more

Does your employer support victims of workplace bullying?

When people speak out about poor treatment at work, it should be taken seriously. This has been happening a lot in the UK recently. The Baroness Casey... read more

How to prepare a presentation for a job interview

When you get past an initial job interview, you may be asked to deliver a presentation to progress further in the application process. The type,... read more

Is my job under threat since I returned part time?

I’m sorry to hear about the difficult time you have had at work over the past few years since returning from maternity leave. It’s difficult to... read more

A proactive approach to mental health

Shyamantha Asokan speaks to Penelope Hill at Vistry Group about how the company's policies on mental health helped her recover from PTSD. read more

The childcare debate rumbles on

Childcare has fallen out of the headlines after a few months of intense focus in the lead-up to the Budget. Basically everyone is waiting to see what... read more

Number of employers explaining their gender pay gap drops significantly

The gender pay gap has lowered year on year, but is the same as when the audits first came in, possibly because employers are giving it less priority,... read more

HTG: ‘a breath of fresh air’ when it comes to employee support

Jim Sullivan* has suffered for several years from rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia which has in the past affected how much he can work as well as... read more

Number of female entrepreneurs sees a slight increase in a turbulent business world

The number of female-led companies has increased and more female-led businesses secured external funding, although male-led companies secured seven... read more

Diversity and inclusion from the top down

Last week talent solutions firm AMS held a webinar on diversity, equity and inclusion at C Suite level which turned out to be a really interesting... read more

‘I was never not offered an opportunity because I was part time’

Kate Lockett talks to workingmums.co.uk about how she has been promoted up the ranks of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency while working part time. read more

Why menstrual leave could be bad for women

Spain recently adopted a menstrual leave policy, which makes additional (paid or unpaid) days off work available to “only and all cisgender... read more

Best for diversity and inclusion: ServiceNow

We spoke to ServiceNow about their award-winning policies and practice relating to diversity and inclusion. read more

Teenagers at the centre of a mental health crisis

Like many parents, I have every sympathy with the teachers going on strike. Over the years it has been patently obvious that school budgets have... read more

Call for harassment bill to be allowed to pass

Unions and women’s groups have again warned the Government not to abandon legislation on workplace sexual harassment. It has been reported that... read more

The inflexibility crisis for working mums

More businesses are offering flexible working arrangements. At least, that’s what it looks like. Unfortunately for many working mums, the reality... read more

Lloyds sets minimum amount of office days for hybrid workers

Lloyds Banking Group has become the latest financial service institution to insist on a minimum number of days in the office for employees working a... read more

Mixed picture for women at work

A growing number of women feel uncomfortable talking about their mental and reproductive health challenges in the workplace, according to a new... read more

How to navigate pregnancy and redundancy

The current economic climate is precarious and it is highly likely we will see more redundancies in workplaces over the coming months. The impact of... read more

Why we need a bad work plan

We tend to focus a lot in the UK on good practice in the hopes that sharing it will encourage others. The idea is that most people want to do the... read more

The long read: Equal parenting – and why so few of us do it

When Angela went back to work in late 2021, her husband took Mondays and Tuesdays off to look after their one-year-old daughter. Angela, a youth... read more

On the road to the end of the world

There are some holidays that are for resting the body or the mind and there are others that are, well, not. I’m just back from a walking holiday... read more

A new dynamic approach to managing work and family

The phrase work-life balance has become so commonplace in the last years. It seems like the nirvana so many of us are seeking, but it is one that... read more

Dads of daughters more supportive of gender equality

Having daughters can permanently affect male CEOs’ gender-related attitudes in business, human resourcing and governance priorities, making them... read more

Concerns mount over sexual harassment at work

Concerns about sexual harassment at work are mounting as the CBI continues to lose members over accusations of sexual assault and amid calls for the... read more

How can employers support employees who have premature babies?

A new statutory right to up to 12 weeks’ paid time off work for parents of children who have spent at least a week in neonatal care is being... read more

Women face discrimination at work over fertility treatment, survey shows

One in four women who told their boss they were undergoing fertility treatment say they have experienced unfair treatment at work as a result, a... read more

Best for SMEs: birdie

workingmums.co.uk talks to birdie, winner of this year's Best for SMEs category in the WM People Top Employer Awards. read more

Group calls for clarification on Retained EU Law Bill

A group of 16 charities, unions, think tanks and campaign groups focused on policy related to working families has written to the Government calling... read more

My family diary: Mama no-mates

I’m pushing the pram to Tesco and trying to remember when I last had a conversation with a friend. Here are the rules. Tesco chat doesn’t count... read more

Can my employer permanently demote me for reducing my hours temporarily?

I am sorry to hear that you have been unwell and that your employer hasn’t agreed to accept your flexible working request in full. From what you... read more

Should you use AI to write your CV?

Over the last few months, there has been a lot of talk in the media about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Specifically, there has been a lot of buzz... read more

UK lags many countries on “replacement rate” for state maternity pay

The UK is falling behind many countries when it comes to the “replacement rate” for state maternity pay, a new report has shown. The UK’s... read more

Feeling microstressed?

Speak to any coaches and they will tell you that there are a lot of people out there who look seemingly successful, but are teetering on the brink.... read more

Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a world top ten university with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Consistently rated... read more

Q&A: Sara Petersen on her new book about momfluencers

Sara Petersen is a US-based writer whose new book is about “momfluencers” – women who have become social media influencers by posting about... read more

Government publishes voluntary guidance on ethnicity pay gap reporting

The Government has published voluntary guidelines for employers wishing to monitor for any ethnicity pay gaps. read more

What should employers do to reduce the impact of stress at work?

It’s Stress Awareness Month and there has been a lot of focus on mental health in the last years, but do initiatives like free yoga sessions... read more

A creative approach to diversity in STEM

Jackie Carter describes herself as a late bloomer, a practitioner turned professor and activist. Her superpower, she says, is having come to academia... read more

Parental success: the kids are cleaning

It’s been a week of spring cleaning in our house. This is because we had A Visitor. Normally the kids don’t invite people around to the... read more

Human Force: emotions in the workplace

There has been a lot of focus of late on how Artificial Intelligence – and specifically ChatGPT – will transform the workplace. There are... read more

AJ Bell

At the heart of our culture is a clear and succinct purpose – we help people to invest. How we go about this is defined by our guiding principles,... read more

Book review: A Little Give

“All my days begin and end in this kitchen,” Marina Benjamin writes in her elegant and elegiac memoir, which explores different stages of her life... read more

Growing your career as your children grow: a case study

Advertorial Many jobs are binary: either they are part time, or full time, freelance or employed. Not many offer the flexibility to shift between... read more

One in four parents forced out of work or study due to childcare costs

One in four British parents are being forced to give up their job or drop out of education due to the high cost of childcare, according to a new... read more

Sexual abuse and harassment have no place in business

It seems that not a week passes these days when there is not a major story about an institutional or leadership failure when it comes to diversity and... read more

Bringing child development activities together in one place

What if you could book emergency childcare or an after-school dance session all in one place and didn’t have to spend hours searching on Google or... read more

Sixth episode of WM People Podcast out

The sixth WM People podcast is out and features a discussion of alternative forms of childcare, fake flexibility and sleep deprivation. The podcast,... read more

How a workspace redesign can encourage staff back to the office

So much has changed in the workplace since the Covid pandemic. Many employees are now working in a different way and want different things from their... read more

Why working for a small company might be for you

There’s often a perception that it’s best to work for a corporate organisation to gain the best benefits and career opportunities. But is that... read more

Sanctioned claimants face lower earnings

The average Universal Credit claimant who has been sanctioned ends up earning less than other claimants, according to a Government report. The... read more

Should prisoners have to come to court to be sentenced?

Fittingly, since it’s Easter, I have been thinking about restorative justice. This is due to the coverage of the Olivia Pratt Korbel case and... read more

Gen Z and Millennials: Can you afford NOT to save for your retirement?

Every week there is more worrying news about the future for retirees. From ongoing political debates about increasing the retirement age, to the... read more

Working mums’ guide to Easter

Easter is here already. You blink after Christmas and Easter arrives. If you are still dealing with the everyday struggles of work and life and were... read more

Just one in seven middle managers in tech is female

Only one in seven women are in middle-management tech roles, and the average length of time women stay in tech jobs is shorter than that of men,... read more

Gender pay gap not shifting

Nearly 80% of UK employers pay men more than women on average, with the gender pay gap having worsened since last year and since gender pay gap... read more

Using tech to address the affordable childcare problem

Can technology solve the problem of childcare costs?  Christiane Demgenski thinks it can at the very least start a conversation about how we value... read more

In favour of predictable hours

We all know that flexible working is a key issue for parents looking to balance work and family life, although balance might be the last thing that it... read more

Call for action on gender pay gap

The TUC has called on the Government to require companies to publish action plans on how they will address the gender pay gap and to strengthen access... read more

How can we boost uptake of the 15-hours childcare scheme?

Amina is a busy mother of five living in London. On top of looking after her family and planning her own return to work, she also volunteers to help... read more

Call for urgent action to make Parliament more inclusive

Only 37% of women MPs agreed that ‘the culture in Parliament is inclusive for people like me’, compared to a majority of men, according to... read more

“Fake flexibility”: Survey shows mothers’ workplace experiences

“I was told that management loved it when women came back to work four days a week, as they knew they’d get five days’ work out of them for less... read more

Trying to impress the pre-teens

My son has always had a somewhat skewed view of my work. Asked what I did for a living a few years ago, he said “she just stares at the computer... read more

Transport and unpredictable hours key barriers to work for women

Transport costs and unpredictable hours are the top barriers faced by women in low-paid and low-skill work in the UK, according to new research. The... read more

4PS

Working at 4PS means working at an ambitious, growing organisation with plenty of room for personal development. Our core values are fundamental to... read more

Widespread support for state funding to access childcare

Eighty-four per cent of the public believe it is the role of government to provide the funding and necessary regulation to ensure that everyone,... read more

Fertility and the workplace

Undergoing fertility treatment can be a costly and emotional journey for parents and juggling finances and work at the same time can be difficult. As... read more

The future of childminding?

It’s been a slow news week for parents after a hugely busy few weeks/months in the lead-up to the Budget. Childcare is still bubbling under as... read more

Women founders in tech: Vinita Rathi

Vinita Rathi says she has always been someone who does things differently. That approach has stood her in good stead as the founder and CEO of a... read more

Statutory rates go up in April

Increased statutory rates are set to take effect in April 2023, which could have a huge impact on employers’ outgoings. As such, it’s important to... read more

The Parent Academy: bringing together career and parenting advice

When Shivani Uberoi (pictured above) returned to work after maternity leave, she was met with the world of tasks and challenges that working parents... read more

Are you lonely at work?

There has been a lot of discussion about isolation and loneliness since Covid, mainly – when it comes to work – related to homeworking.... read more

Fifth WM People podcast out

The fifth episode of the WM People podcast has just landed, covering analysis of the Budget, challenges facing single parents and a reflection on... read more

Meet Fran – L&Q Housing

Advertorial Fran started her career at Trafford Housing Trust working for Trustcare. As of April 2023, Trafford Housing Trust and L&Q will come... read more

Going digital first after Covid

Paddle was commended at the WM People Top Employer Awards for its flexible digital first model. Here we talk to Director of People Hanna Smith about... read more

Work for a smaller organisation

read more

Top Employer Charter

read more

Do parents have to live together to get shared parental leave?

For working parents, shared parental leave (SPL) aims to raise a toast to equal opportunities. It means that while one parent can take up to 52 weeks... read more

Getting sick at the busiest time

Usually in life I have found that as soon as you start to relax,  you get every sickness going. I can’t recall many Christmases when the kids... read more

Law firm launches flexi bank holiday scheme

Law firm Linklaters is introducing a new scheme in the UK to offer more flexibility around public holidays. The UK Bank Holiday Exchange Scheme will... read more

The workaround lifestyle

What happens when you have a ‘portfolio’ career and all your jobs are hectic at the same time? In the eyes of some, the portfolio career... read more

Anger at lack of government action on menopause at work

The last few years have seen a surge of action by women to highlight the impact of the menopause at work as surveys show large numbers of women... read more

Third reading for Bill promoting predictable working hours

A Bill to give workers and agency workers the right to request more predictable terms and conditions of work has its third reading in Parliament... read more

My family diary: All aboard the Budget rollercoaster

Just over a week ago, I was giddily calculating what to do with the extra £1,000 that was about to fall into our laps every month. That’s right:... read more

Children may be the losers in Budget childcare changes

Last week’s budget contained a very big announcement for young families: a huge expansion in the provision of free childcare hours. Currently,... read more

Complications from carrying over holidays from maternity leave

Employees on maternity leave are entitled to all their normal contractual terms and benefits other than remuneration, and this includes the accrual of... read more

Calls for reform of tax-free childcare

The Government’s key childcare support policy – tax-free childcare – needs reform and the amount parents can claim back needs to... read more

Concerns over Universal Credit changes for primary carers

The Government is planning a radical change to Universal Credit rules for primary carers of young children, which campaigners and experts have... read more

Book review: The Feminist Killjoy Handbook

In 1982, The New York Times ran an article about “the post-feminist generation”, in which a student says: “Look around and you’ll see some... read more

Returning to work after a break: lessons from mums

The Budget has been in the headlines in connection with childcare issues, but there was a big focus on older workers too. One initiative was dubbed... read more

Parent reaction to Budget childcare pledge

The response from parents to last week’s Budget announcement on childcare is mixed, with just a quarter saying they are happy with it, according to... read more

Get a Great Work-Life Balance with Genting Casinos

Advertorial At Genting, we’re committed to supporting working parents in their careers. As well as our family-friendly policies and enhanced... read more

Pensions warning for single parents

A third of all working single mothers are ineligible for a workplace pension under current auto enrolment rules despite over half (59%) being... read more

A new approach to getting ex-offenders back to work

Construction firm J. Murphy & Sons started in 1951 and has almost 4,000 employees spread across the UK, Ireland and Canada.  Its overall business... read more

Fixing the childcare system

Childcare has dominated the Budget headlines and the many challenges it faces, after years of neglect, from staffing to chronic underpayment of... read more

Firms make progress on women in finance

Financial firms which have signed the Women in Finance have made up some lost ground since the pandemic, but the gap between those with over 40% women... read more

Mother’s Day: more than just a card [hopefully]

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday and the shops have been packed with cards and flowers since the last card-based event. Forget the cards and flowers... read more

What is the point of free childcare if nurseries go under?

There has been a lot written – particularly on social media – about the Government’s childcare offer, which mainly applies to... read more

Are we credit scoring, or adversity scorning?

In December, Shyamantha Asokan wrote an article for Working Mums, sharing my story of how I pulled myself out of poverty and how I now help other... read more

Concerns raised about wraparound care plans

Out of hours childcare providers have raised concerns about the Government’s plans for funding wraparound childcare because they don’t... read more

Polling shows resistance to remote and hybrid working backlash

Over a third of employees would quit their job if they were told to return to the office full-time, according to data released by LinkedIn for the... read more

Hunt’s Budget promises childcare boosts but funding questions remain

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced that families in England will receive major boosts in free pre-school childcare over the next two years, but... read more

Only part-time workers in redundancy pool and all jobs are full time

I’m sorry to hear this is happening to you. In terms of the redundancy process, for them to fairly terminate your employment contract for redundancy... read more

Is gender equality going backwards?

Budget Day is finally here and we wait to see what the Chancellor will come up with. There are so many families struggling, not just with childcare,... read more

How to write a cover letter that grabs attention

There are a lot of elements you need to think about when undertaking a job search. It’s not enough to just send a CV. The majority of recruiters... read more

Free STEM returner programme for Midlands and North

Parents and carers in the Midlands and the North of England trying to return to STEM industries after a career break will be able to apply for a free... read more

Childcare crisis over cost and availability

In the run-up to the Budget there has been a lot of focus of late on the huge childcare costs parents in England are incurring and the impact this is... read more

WM People podcast: from childcare to gender equity

The new episode of the WM People podcast is out today, featuring discussion about the Budget, International Women’s Day and the everywoman in... read more

Childcare and the Budget: what next?

So it’s the Budget this week and we’ve been building up to it for a while with childcare – at least the early years variety –... read more

What are employers doing to address intersectional problems?

Many employers have taken huge strides in improving diversity and inclusion in the workplace in recent years; but if they want to continue to be... read more

Women in creative industries call for change

The voices of freelance, self employed and atypical workers were clearly heard at this week’s TUC women’s conference. Motion after motion... read more

Growing up is hard…for parents

What happens when all your children are pre-teen or teenagers or older? I only ask because only son has gone full pre-teen and is demanding that I... read more

Fears of backlash on gender equality – with younger people leading the way

People in Britain are increasingly afraid of promoting women’s rights for fear of reprisals, according to a new survey which highlights a backlash... read more

Study charts how childcare eats into parents’ wages

An hour of childcare in England costs nearly a third of the median pre-tax hourly wage, according to a new childcare affordability ratio from the... read more

Childcare shortages on the rise in England, report shows

There have been widespread drops in the number of childcare places in England over the past year, a new report shows, as pressure mounts on the... read more

LNER

Diversity and inclusion We are passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, representative of the communities we serve and are... read more

Does my employer have to make adjustments for long Covid?

The courts have said that long Covid may be a disability for legal purposes. However, it is fact specific and will depend greatly on the nature of the... read more

Why school clerks and governance professionals deserve a fair wage

Felicity Jackson is a highly experienced clerk who has for years advised her school’s governors on the intricacies of staff pay, absence hearings... read more

IWD surveys look at impact of caring on women’s ability to work and progress

Women are around seven times more likely than men to be out of the labour market due to caring commitments, according to a new analysis published by... read more

Reaching out across the generations

Victoria Smith’s new book Hags is an angry response to a whole litany of gendered ageism, from name calling and verbal violence to the cumulative... read more

Embracing equity this International Women’s Day

Equal opportunities: it’s been quite the buzz phrase for some time – particularly as workplaces see the value in championing inclusive and... read more

Childcare moves up the political agenda…at last

Childcare is everywhere at the moment in the run-up to the Budget and the lead-up to International Women’s Day – even though childcare... read more

Women board members more likely to focus on all forms of diversity

Women board members more likely to focus on all forms of diversity

Female directors are more likely to spot a company’s need for diversity in areas such as age, race, and class, a new report shows.... read more

How the Restart scheme works

There’s a lot of focus, Government-wise, on how to address labour shortages and get as many people into work as possible. During the pandemic... read more

UK falls down the gender equality ranking

The UK has fallen five places in an annual gender equality index of OECD countries, moving from 9th to 14th place, due to a widening gender pay gap.... read more

Why equity matters and how to get to it

Jenny Garrett’s new book Equality vs Equity is written from a place of hope and optimism. She says she has seen real change happen in the last two... read more

Is International Women’s Day more than a branding bunfight?

This Wednesday is International Women’s Day so organisations like ours expect to be inundated with press releases on polls, special events and... read more

Women struggling more with cost of living crisis

Women are more likely to be struggling with the cost-of-living crisis than men, according to new research from the Living Wage Foundation. The study... read more

Kawasaki disease after Covid

Covid will have many long-term health impacts, some that we are not even aware of yet. Already two million people in the UK are estimated to be... read more

Are you feeling microstressed?

I’m reading a book about microstress: the stuff that builds up and up, for instance, changes to your job which seem small when taken on their... read more

One in ten parents say childcare fees wipe out their daily take-home pay

One in ten parents who use formal childcare say it now costs the same or more than their take-home pay per day, a survey has found, as pressure grows... read more

How Donna Patterson is helping other working mums after tribunal win

Last year, Donna Patterson spent hours wading through a giant “data dump” that included emails, meeting minutes, organisational charts,... read more

Can I be made redundant because I work part time?

I’m sorry to hear this is happening to you. In terms of the redundancy process. For them to fairly terminate your employment contract for redundancy... read more

‘Just 8% of business leaders say remote working has negative impact’

The idea that everyone has to get back to the office and that remote working harms productivity does not chime with the views of most employers,... read more

Are short-term solutions the way forward?

The Government seems to be in panic mode when it comes to labour shortages, and with some reason as employers warn that they are a major barrier to... read more

Levelling up through a gender lens

Investment in infrastructure in its broadest sense – including childcare and other forms of support needed to access employment – is a... read more

Women now occupy 40% of FTSE 350 board roles

Women in 40% of FTSE 350 board roles

Women now occupy two in five board roles at Britain’s biggest listed companies, but progress on female CEOs remains slow, a new report shows.... read more

Making schools better through flexible working

There’s a lot of attention on school strikes in England this week. Pay and funding are the key issues, of course, but schools are also losing staff... read more

Third WM People podcast: 4-day week, D & I and sickness

The third WMPeople.co.uk podcast is up and focuses on the 4-Day Week trial, Diversity and Inclusion and what to do when your kids are sick. The... read more

Women’s welfare in the workplace

There are so many life-changing events that impact women as we develop our careers, be they relationships , children, health and other factors. How we... read more

For childcare solutions: think local

The battle for childcare is hotting up as the Budget approaches. More and more people are talking about it being a crucial part of the economic... read more

Adaptability to change: the key parental skill

You’d think that as your children get older things would get easier, and they do in some respects, but dealing with teenagers who take hours to... read more

Why is the gender pay gap bigger for some women than others?

Women in the UK earn, on average, 14.9 pence less per pound than men, based on the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This... read more

Call for UC changes to prevent debt deductions

Families are losing out on an average of £73 a month due to debt deductions from their Universal Credit, with new figures showing families in the... read more

More action needed on gender pay gap, says TUC

The average woman in paid employment effectively works for free for nearly two months of the year compared to the average man in paid employment,... read more

“It’s a game-changer for everyone”: Flexible working on A&E wards

“A game-changer for everyone”: Flexible working on A&E wards

Talia Barry, an A&E consultant, tells us how highly flexible rotas can help medics to balance work and family, as well as preventing burnout in a... read more

Working Families warns against scrapping EU laws protecting working families

A national charity for parents is urging the UK Government to confirm that laws protecting the rights of working parents and carers will remain in... read more

Women created over 150,000 new businesses in the UK last year

Women created over 150,000 new businesses in the UK last year, highlighting a rise in female entrepreneurship in recent years, a report has found. ... read more

Diagnosed with Long Covid – do I need to do a flexible working request?

The courts have said that Long Covid may be a disability for legal purposes. However, it is fact specific and will depend greatly on the nature of the... read more

Jacqui Honess-Martin on why she wrote Maternal

Jacqui Honess-Martin is the creator, writer and executive producer of Maternal, a new ITV show about three women returning to their jobs as NHS... read more

Childcare and levelling up

According to the Resolution Foundation think tank, the Government should spend less time focusing on getting retired workers back to work and focus... read more

‘Childcare, health and disability should be at centre of workforce plans’

Government efforts to boost Britain’s workforce should focus on supporting more mothers into work, and helping older workers and those with a... read more

Success for 4-day week trial

Almost every company that took part in the world’s biggest four-day working week pilot has decided to continue with the new day of working,... read more

The dangers of blanket policies on getting sick people back to work

Both Labour and the Conservatives have been the subject of recent reports about supporting people who are suffering from long-term health issues or... read more

Bullying and the lasting impact it has on mental health

Mental health has featured heavily in the news of late, particularly getting people back into work who have dropped out due to a mental health... read more

Community nurseries under pressure in childcare crisis

Last week, an Early Years Alliance survey showed that 89% of nurseries in England are probably or definitely increasing their fees this year by an... read more

Employment tribunal backlog gets worse

Spiralling tribunal backlogs are leaving employees and businesses in limbo for far too long, the Law Society of England and Wales has warned. The... read more

My family diary: wrapping your head around wraparound

** This blog is part of a series called The Chaos Train, a record of daily life when you work and have pre-school children ** It is 8.45pm on a... read more

Reading about grief

It’s been three years on Sunday since my daughter Anisha was killed and it doesn’t get any easier, even though we are more used to the... read more

Is workstyle an idea whose time has come?

Much of the talk about flexible working post-Covid has been about hybrid working – working in two different places, generally home and work, but... read more

England’s childcare providers warn of substantial fee hikes in 2023

Nurseries, pre-schools and childminders in England are warning of substantial increases to fees this year, amid rising costs and low government... read more

Job skillset changed for maternity cover. Is my job under threat?

My line manager has lined up a specific individual to do my job whilst I am on maternity leave. In order to make this work he has rewritten my job... read more

Employers fear staff leaving due to cost of living

Most employers in the UK [58%] believe that they will lose staff in the next six months as they seek to earn more by moving jobs, according to new... read more

Why we need more women in AI

I read a report on Artificial Intelligence and the depiction of AI scientists in films this week. It focused on the 142 most influential cinematic... read more

How to tackle sexism in public institutions

Recent police scandals such as the Sarah Everard case, the Charing Cross police station scandal and, more recently, the case of serial rapist David... read more

One in six work from home all week

Sixteen per cent of adults work from home only and over a quarter [28%] work do hybrid working, according to a study by the Office for National... read more

Book review: Good for a Girl

Book review: Good for a Girl by Lauren Fleshman Lauren Fleshman’s new book, Good for a Girl, is a memoir of her career as a professional athlete and... read more

Are you ready to return to work?

Advertorial Have you taken a career break? Are you thinking of returning to work? Most of us will spend more at least 40 years of our lives at work.... read more

Second WM People podcast published

WM People’s second podcast has been published covering best practice in family-friendly and flexible working, mental health and the depiction of... read more

Single parents remain twice as likely to be out of the workforce

Single parents remain twice as likely to be out of the workforce or working fewer hours than they wish to, when compared to those in couples, a new... read more

How to get through half term on a budget

Half term in Easter term can creep up on parents unless they are very ahead of the game.  It’s a short term and it feels almost as if the... read more

Childcare isn’t a political game

At the end of last week it was reported that the Department for Education has put forward various proposals on how to address childcare costs in... read more

Midlands and North to get STEM returners programme

A new returners programme for parents and carers in the Midlands and North with a STEM background has received funding from Government. Women... read more

Women and black barristers most likely to experience bullying