Despite increased parental benefits and support for working mothers in many countries, the reality is that an increasing number of women are leaving the workforce once they have children. While this is particularly noticeable in the United States, where paid maternity leave is left to the discretion of the employer and many women are permitted just six weeks off work, even in Europe, the number of women returning to work once their leave has ended, is continuing to fall. This is despite many countries having generous parental leave policies and companies having an obligation to consider flexible working requests. While women leaving the workforce is not entirely due to family commitments, it is the leading reason that women give for not working.
Despite increased parental benefits and support for working mothers in many countries, the reality is that an increasing number of women are leaving the workforce once they have children. While this is particularly noticeable in the United States, where paid maternity leave is left to the discretion of the employer and many women are permitted just six weeks off work, even in Europe, the number of women returning to work once their leave has ended, is continuing to fall. This is despite many countries having generous parental leave policies and companies having an obligation to consider flexible working requests. Continue reading “Agile Working – Benefits For Women And Industry”