Resources

TALKING POINT

Nine out of 10 working mums want employers to help them
deal with anxiety, guilt and lack of confidence

A new survey published this week by national charity Parentalk reveals that nine out of 10 working mums want employers to help them deal with anxiety, guilt and lack of confidence and that eight out of 10 have considered giving up work because of the stress of combining a career and motherhood.

Some 9 out of 10 working mums are adamant they want to work - and want their employers to help them tackle the challenges.

"From the Board Room to the shop floor, the message to employers from working mums is clear - we are committed to making this work but we need your help to do it," says Tim Mungeam, Chief Executive of Parentalk. "Our new initiative, Parentalk at Work isn't about company crèches and legislative changes, it goes much deeper than that. Working mothers are looking for practical strategies to help them with day-to-day family issues which affect their performance at work."

Almost eight out of 10 working mums said the benefits of support in the workplace would be better work performance and increased commitment to stay with their employer. The majority of mums believe it would help reduce guilt and boost confidence and eight out of 10 said that it would increase their motivation.

Nine out of 10 Mums feel increased feelings of guilt and anxiety as a result of juggling family and work. Three out of four feel guilty about not being 'good mothers' and nine out of 10 admit to feeling guilty about being negative with their children when they are with them.

The majority of working mums say the biggest practical challenges affecting performance at work are childcare, stress about family issues and lack of energy and 'me' time.

Confidence takes a knock with nearly two out of three working mums feeling reduced confidence in themselves and their ability to do their work. Three-quarters of respondents said they feel reduced confidence about the way their colleagues perceive them now that they have children.

One in three working mums believe that they are in a job for which they are over-qualified.

"It is vital that all employers support working parents in the workplace," says Jessica Rolph from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. "Finding effective ways of reducing the stress and anxiety many parents feel about managing both work and family obligations can provide clear benefits to both employees and employers. If these issues are dealt with effectively, the benefits for the organisation can be greater job satisfaction for employees, improved relations with staff and perhaps better attendance and productivity because staff are happy, motivated and less stressed."

Two out of three mums want employers to support them through group sessions with other working parents in the workplace. Over half would welcome independent, confidential support through 1-1 sessions to help them tackle the challenges of being a working mum.

Working mums continue to give excellent value to their employers with three mums out of four saying that they carry out work tasks at home on days off.

Nine out of 10 working mums believe combining career and motherhood has resulted in improved productivity, decision-making and creative problem-solving skills.

Lorraine Thomas, Parent Coach for Parentalk and Chief Executive of the Parent Coaching Academy, coaches working mums on a daily basis.

"Working mums want to be great mums and great employees but usually convince themselves they are doing neither job well. Parent support in the workplace puts them back in the driving seat and channels their energy and enthusiasm into boosting performance at work and at home. The impact for family and employer is enormous."

The survey was conducted by Parentalk in October 2003 with 85 mothers in full and part-time employment across the UK. Find out more about Parentalk's resources, including Steve Chalke's new book How to Succeed As a Working Parent at www.parentalk.co.uk

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		TALKING POINT Nine out of 10 working mums want employers to help them deal with anxiety, guilt and lack of confidence A new survey published this week by national charity Parentalk reveals that nine out of 10 working mums want employers to help them deal with anxiety, guilt and lack of confidence and that eight out of 10 have considered giving up work because of the stress of combining a career and motherhood. Some 9 out of 10 working mums are adamant they want to work - and want their employers to help them tackle the challenges. "From the Board Room to the shop floor, the message to employers from working mums is clear - we are committed to making this work but we need your help to do it," says Tim Mungeam, Chief Executive of Parentalk. "Our new initiative, Parentalk at Work isn't about company crèches and legislative changes, it goes much deeper than that. Working mothers are looking for practical strategies to help them with day-to-day family issues which affect their performance at work." Almost eight out of 10 working mums said the benefits of support in the workplace would be better work performance and increased commitment to stay with their employer. The majority of mums believe it would help reduce guilt and boost confidence and eight out of 10 said that it would increase their motivation. Nine out of 10 Mums feel increased feelings of guilt and anxiety as a result of juggling family and work. Three out of four feel guilty about not being 'good mothers' and nine out of 10 admit to feeling guilty about being negative with their children when they are with them. The majority of working mums say the biggest practical challenges affecting performance at work are childcare, stress about family issues and lack of energy and 'me' time. Confidence takes a knock with nearly two out of three working mums feeling reduced confidence in themselves and their ability to do their work. Three-quarters of respondents said they feel reduced confidence about the way their colleagues perceive them now that they have children. One in three working mums believe that they are in a job for which they are over-qualified. "It is vital that all employers support working parents in the workplace," says Jessica Rolph from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development. "Finding effective ways of reducing the stress and anxiety many parents feel about managing both work and family obligations can provide clear benefits to both employees and employers. If these issues are dealt with effectively, the benefits for the organisation can be greater job satisfaction for employees, improved relations with staff and perhaps better attendance and productivity because staff are happy, motivated and less stressed." Two out of three mums want employers to support them through group sessions with other working parents in the workplace. Over half would welcome independent, confidential support through 1-1 sessions to help them tackle the challenges of being a working mum. Working mums continue to give excellent value to their employers with three mums out of four saying that they carry out work tasks at home on days off. Nine out of 10 working mums believe combining career and motherhood has resulted in improved productivity, decision-making and creative problem-solving skills. Lorraine Thomas, Parent Coach for Parentalk and Chief Executive of the Parent Coaching Academy, coaches working mums on a daily basis. "Working mums want to be great mums and great employees but usually convince themselves they are doing neither job well. Parent support in the workplace puts them back in the driving seat and channels their energy and enthusiasm into boosting performance at work and at home. The impact for family and employer is enormous." The survey was conducted by Parentalk in October 2003 with 85 mothers in full and part-time employment across the UK. Find out more about Parentalk's resources, including Steve Chalke's new book How to Succeed As a Working Parent at www.parentalk.co.uk © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.