Women and Motherhood in UK – Half of childless women would consider not starting a family for their career

Half of childless women are so concerned about the risk children pose to their career progression that they would consider not starting a family, according to research by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

The survey of 2,000 women from a range of business sectors, half with children and half without, suggests two-thirds (67%) are worried about the impact having children would have on their career.

Of the women who don’t have children, almost one-half (49%) feel their current career doesn’t offer them the flexibility they would need to care for a family.

Among those with children, 24% have changed their career after becoming a parent, while 65% said they would consider retraining as a way to gain further flexibility in the workplace.

Balancing childcare and work commitments is cited as the main barrier to staying in employment for new mothers, with one-fifth saying a lack of support from their employer has made it difficult.

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at HR Magazine – Half of women consider choosing career over family.