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Jobs not careers

A three year tracking study of mothers looking for work, funded by the Big Lottery Fund. The study aimed to shed light on what works in supporting mothers into successful employment. It found that mothers choose lower paid part-time work over their career development, and that job-search-support interventions need to be tailored to their specific family circumstances.

Jobs not careersDownload full research report

Over a period of three years, our research tracked a sample of 80 out of work mothers facing significant barriers to working. It investigated their career trajectories over three stages: making an initial decision about returning to work, looking for a job, and experiences whilst working.

Key findings

  • Most mothers had a preference for part-time employment, but many struggled to find this.
  • Most shared a common set of barriers to work: low confidence, concern over the lack of part-time and/or flexible jobs, and concern that childcare was unavailable or unaffordable.
  • Of those who entered employment during the 3 year period, most found work through social and professional networks, rather than through job adverts or recruitment agencies.
  • Many mothers compromised on working hours, salary and level of responsibility, in order to achieve balance with their family lives.
  • Many mothers were unable to move into work that was secure, allowed them to balance work and family life, and offered opportunities for progression.

Recommendations

Addressing the issues that women face in finding and sustaining work requires action in three key areas:

  • Providing integrated employment support and advice which covers the spectrum from confidence building to high-end careers advice.
  • Opening up intermediate and senior level roles to flexible and part-time working patterns, to prevent women (and others with caring responsibilities) from having to compromise their career aspirations.
  • Providing affordable, flexible, quality childcare.

Published in 2014

Download full research report

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