Member Article

London is least forgiving place for mums returning to work

A survey from Digital Training provider Digital Mums has found that London is the least forgiving place for women returning to work after having a baby.

According to a survey of 2,000 mums conducted by One Poll 49% of London mums say they have been unable to get back into work after a break as a direct result of outdated skills, almost 2.5 times the average for mums across the country. For 51% it has stopped them applying for a job and 36% getting a job, double the average.

Overall 52% of mothers worry about their skills/ knowledge becoming dated while on a career break. This rises to 72% of mothers in London. Mental health is more likely to be a barrier for London mums returning to work, 22% cite mental health as a barrier versus 17% across the country. However 91% of London mums are employed versus an average of 80% for all mums. On the back of the findings, Digital Mums is calling on employers in London to offer more flexible training opportunities to help mothers back into the workplace.

Overall despite well publicised campaigns to boost flexibility in the workplace, the inability to preserve a work/life balance remains the biggest challenge in returning to work - a challenge for 52% of respondents. Arranging childcare comes next at 49%, followed by flexibility, 43% and lack of confidence 23%.

Digital Mums is calling on mums to ‘learn in’ this Winter by training for the skills they need and is calling on the Government, employers and learning providers to do more to support them.

According to Digital Mums founder Kathryn Tyler: “Our survey highlights a much bigger issue for mothers trying to return to work in London, compared to the rest of the UK. They are far more likely to worrying about their skills gap and consequently are twice as likely to be put off applying for a job role as a result. Our data shows their concerns are founded as they are twice as likely to have been turned down for a job due to outdated skills and knowledge. Although employment levels are higher in London, in many ways it is a much harsher environment for those that have taken a break from the workplace. It is a very competitive job market, and there is a greater intensity of demand for digital skills, which we know can be one of the biggest challenges for mothers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Digital Mums .