Women with children would rather take a pay cut in exchange for these perks, according to a study
Returning to work – after taking a break to care for family – can be a challenge for women, according to a new FlexJobs survey of working mothers. Many are turning to other options.
Almost nine in 10 respondents said raising children has shaped their interest in taking on a flexible job, instead of the usual 9-to-5 work that tied them down to their desk.
More than two in five women said it was ‘extremely difficult or difficult’ to kickstart their career after a hiatus, FlexJobs found.
Nearly a third of women who went on leave after having children said they aimed to re-enter the workforce but found their job was ‘too inflexible’ to allow them to juggle career and family life.
With these growing concerns, more than half of working mothers (56%) have tried to negotiate flexible terms but only about a third (32%) have been given successful, FlexJobs noted.
Among the top factors women evaluate when they consider a job offer are:
- Work-life balance (82%)
- Flexible work options (78%)
- Work schedule (77%)
- Salary (76%)
About a third of respondents with children aged 18 and below are also open to taking a pay cut in exchange for the option to work from home as often as they needed.
Overall, the majority (85%) said they would be more loyal to an employer that offered flexible work options, FlexJobs found.
