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Pay Gap Barclays Mumsnet

Tesco among launch partners for Mumsnet jobsite as 91% say careers ‘nosedive’ after kids

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By Jennifer Faull | Deputy Editor

May 17, 2015 | 4 min read

Tesco, Barclays and PwC are among the launch partners for Mumsnet Jobs, a new job site from the parenting network to showcase family-friendly career opportunities.

The site was launched amid a scathing survey conducted by Mumset which found over 90 per cent of users think that there is a ‘motherhood penalty’, whereby mothers’ careers take a nosedive post-children - contributing to the gap in workplace pay and seniority between men and women.

A further six out of ten (65 per cent) of mothers felt that having children had a negative effect on their career and of those 56 per cent felt unable to pursue seniority or promotion because they couldn’t commit to long hours and constant availability. Meanwhile, 37 per cent said they were earning less than before they had children.

Conversely, three quarters (73 per cent) claimed that having children had had no impact on their partner’s career.

“In 2015, we’re still seeing most mothers - but relatively few fathers - suffer professionally when they have children,” said Mumsnet chief executive Justine Roberts.

“It’s a multi-faceted problem, but one way forward is for women to vote with their feet, and take their skills and experience to forward-thinking employers. So we’ve launched Mumsnet Jobs to showcase family-friendly jobs at all levels and across all sectors - because women shouldn’t have to accept career penalties as the price of motherhood.”

The survey also asked respondents what they consider to be key priorities when looking for a new job. Three quarters (71 per cent) said flexible hours while 52 per cent mentioned part-time working.

Over a third (39 per cent) said they felt out of touch with skills, working practices or contacts, and suggested a need for better support through maternity leave or refresher training on return to work.

Alison Horner, chief people officer at Tesco said the retailer “is about opportunity”.

“Many colleagues (myself included) came back after having children and built their confidence and careers. Mumsnetters are our customers and we'd love to have more of them as our colleagues. Mumsnet Jobs is a really exciting partnership for us,” she added.

Barclays global head of resourcing and graduates, Sharon Gillam said: “It’s proven that a business that reflects the full diversity of human experience is a better performing business. That is why at Barclays we are excited to be partnering with Mumsnet Jobs in our ambition to create an inclusive, family friendly place to work."

The survey was conducted in May 2015 and was open to all female UK Mumsnet users with at least one child. 1314 responded.

The Drum has previosuly explored the challenges working parents in the advertising and media industry face. Last year, we spoke to Dare chief executive Leigh Thomas and AMVBBDO chief Cilla Snowball among others about balancing work with family after a Nabs survey found that 57 per cent of people in marketing know someone who has quit a job due to the pressures of being a working parent.

Pay Gap Barclays Mumsnet

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