According to new research, having a baby sets a woman’s career back SIX years


by Jane McGuire |
Published on

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

Gallery

Luxuries you appreciate now you're a mum

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mumluxuries

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 <em>finish</em> it… well, that’s heaven in a teacup.2 of 13

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.

The reality: The only thing you’ll be reading is everything you can find on colic. [Corbis]3 of 13

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.

You relish the music from your train neighbour’s headphones simply because it’s <em>not</em> 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 T4 of 13

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.

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.5 of 13

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.

Those evenings where you get to finish a full episode of something on Netflix without falling asleep. Winning.6 of 13

Watching Made In Chelsea

Those evenings where you get to finish a full episode of something on Netflix without falling asleep. Winning.

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.7 of 13

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.

You head off to bed and it takes you exactly 20 seconds to fall asleep. But like any new mum, the first mewls of your newborn an hour later sees you wake up just as fast. You wonder how a body this tired still has the ability to wake up, but it’s like yo8 of 13

Sleep beyond 7am

Now that’s what they call a lie-in.

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.9 of 13

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.

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Wine time

Forget pouring it in the spag bol – that glass of red is predominantly being drunk by you.

Before, you might’ve phoned a friend or put on the radio. Now? Sit back. Close eyes. Ahhhh…..11 of 13

Moments of silence

Before, you might've phoned a friend or put on the radio. Now? Sit back. Close eyes. Ahhhh…..

Another brilliantly childish exclamation that parents can pull off, but may still want to warn little ones off repeating, full-volume in the supermarket. [Corbis]12 of 13

Going to the toilet by yourself

The peace and quiet of being in the bathroom alone with your, erm… thoughts.

One without brightly coloured bubble bath, squeaky plastic toys or the potential for the room to be flooded.13 of 13

A bath

One without brightly coloured bubble bath, squeaky plastic toys or the potential for the room to be flooded.

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