In a new study by Easy Offices, it was found that having a baby sets a woman’s career back six years.
Around half of the women polled said that having a baby had a negative effect on their career, with 42% believing they would be in a more senior position if they didn’t have kids. It also emerge that 37% of working mums believe they have been discriminated against since having a child.
The research looked at 1,000 mums with a child aged between one and 13 and found that becoming a mum can lead to missed promotion opportunities
The research looked at 1,000 mums with a child aged between one and 13 and found that becoming a mum can lead to missed promotion opportunities.
Three in ten of the mums experienced negativity from colleagues because they had to take time off to care for their kids. Over a quarter of new mums also admitted to initially feeling left out by colleagues when they came back to work.
A spokesman for Easy Offices said: ‘Many women will be wondering about how having a baby could affect their career. So we polled mothers who know from experience just what impact having a child can have.
‘The findings show how difficult it is to adjust to the new priorities that come with having a baby, but also suggest it can be hard to reintegrate into the workplace.’
Did you experience any of the above when returning to work? Let us know in the comments below.
Read next: The little luxuries you appreciate now you’re a mum
Luxuries you appreciate now you're a mum
mumluxuries
A (hot) cup of tea
You have countless ones that are stone cold or at best luke warm. So being able to sit back (OK, hide in the kitchen) with a fresh tea and finish it… well, that’s heaven in a teacup.
Reading a book
Right til the end. These days, your literary opportunities tend to revolve around supermarket labels, picture books and a quick scroll of your friends' status updates on Facebook.
The commute
You relish the music from your train neighbour’s headphones simply because it’s not anything from a Disney film. And you laugh when you hear someone complain about a long journey. Do they not realise how amazing that time is for catching up on Twitter? Or, let’s be honest, napping.
Proper yoghurt
Your usual is Petit Filou – makes sense if your toddler’s having them anyway. So treating yourself to a grown-up yoghurt with a special fruit compote or chocolate section? Bliss.
Watching Made In Chelsea
Those evenings where you get to finish a full episode of something on Netflix without falling asleep. Winning.
A trip to the hairdresser ALONE!
You’d usually be taking your toddler for a trim, in a constant slight cold sweat that he won’t sit still or might run riot. So, getting to go on your own? To sit in that chair, drink the herbal tea, read the magazines (yes, plural!)… Bliss.
Sleep beyond 7am
Now that’s what they call a lie-in.
Wearing those earrings
You know the ones – big, beautiful, don’t-need-a-necklace earrings that make any outfit. Except they’re also baby eye candy, enticing her to pull on them at every opportunity. Ouch! Got a babysitter for the evening? Out they come.
Wine time
Forget pouring it in the spag bol – that glass of red is predominantly being drunk by you.
Moments of silence
Before, you might've phoned a friend or put on the radio. Now? Sit back. Close eyes. Ahhhh…..
Going to the toilet by yourself
The peace and quiet of being in the bathroom alone with your, erm… thoughts.
A bath
One without brightly coloured bubble bath, squeaky plastic toys or the potential for the room to be flooded.