Pictured above: Celia Donne
Only 15% of firms in Birmingham plan to hire working mums in the
next year compared to 26% in the UK as a whole according to
research published today from workplace provider Regus.
The Regus study finds that employers appear to be more reluctant
to employ women returners than other employees. Nationally, 43% of
companies questionned say they plan to increase staff numbers in
2011. The survey sparks concerns that the recession is causing the
return of old prejudices about working mums among businesses in the
city:
Just under one third (29%) of employers in Birmingham still fear
that working mothers may show less commitment and flexibility than
other employees;
One in five (20%) of business chiefs in the city believe working
mums will leave shortly after training to have another child;
5% are worried that women who return to the workplace will have
out-of-date skills. This compares favourably to the national figure
of 17%.
Findings from the survey will be of particular concern to
families, women's groups and the government alike. Compared to the
last recession, women are reported to be making a greater financial
contribution than ever before to their families. The high number of
women in the public sector and the expected job cuts in this
segment will drive up female unemployment noticeably, the Regus
report states.
Celia Donne, Regional Director Regus and a mother of two
children, comments: "It is not surprising to see that prejudiced
attitudes come back into play with economic belt-tightening. Some
businesses in Birmingham are evidently still guilty of applying
old-fashioned misgivings to the contemporary work environment.
While the vast majority of firms agree that barring the door to
working mums means shutting out valuable staff, there is some
concern that family commitments may hinder working mothers from
giving their job full attention and commitment. In addition to
this, cuts in the UK public sector, where 65.5% [1] of the
workforce is female, mean that more women will be in search of
employment in 2011, exacerbating the problem.
"As the workplace evolves it is recognised that businesses that
are able to integrate these valuable assets stand a better chance
of success. Fortunately, flexible work arrangements are becoming
the norm and savvy businesses will find that they are able to
provide a more family friendly and at the same time more productive
work environment simply by allowing employees to work alternative
hours or closer to home. Recognising that the needs of working mums
are not exceptional and extending them to all workers will provide
productivity and overheads reduction benefits as well as making for
more motivated staff," she adds.
[1] Office for National Statistics, Economic and Labour Market
Review, Vol 4 No 7 July 2010