# The Pandemic’s Impact on Working Mothers: New Research Reveals That Two-Thirds Have Stopped Working or Now Work Less Author: Pal Sinha, Barnali Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali Published: 2021-07-26 Category: NEWS Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news Meta Title: New Study: How the Pandemic Impacts Working Mothers in the UK Meta Description: Discover how the pandemic has affected working mothers in the UK, with insights from TopCV's latest research on the challenges faced and the need for URL: https://financedigest.com/the-pandemics-impact-on-working-mothers-new-research-reveals-that-two-thirds-have-stopped-working-or-now-work-lesshtml ![undefined](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/10-1736838133941-compressed.jpg) **LONDON (** **24** **May 2021)** — New research from [TopCV](https://www.topcv.com), the world’s largest CV-writing service, reveals that nearly two-thirds of working mothers have either stopped working (40%) or reduced their hours (19%) since the start of the pandemic. TopCV surveyed 1,017 UK professionals to find out how the pandemic had affected their roles as workers and parents. Of the working mothers who were no longer working, almost a third said they either had to stop working or take a sabbatical in order to accommodate childcare. The remainder were forced to stop working due to redundancy. The recent findings suggest that working parents are still not getting the flexibility needed to balance the demands of childcare with working life, despite [earlier findings from TopCV](https://www.topcv.co.uk/career-advice/press-2021-01-05) revealing that increased flexibility is high on the list of employee wants for 2021. Unsurprisingly, this lack of flexibility appears to be creating an ‘either-or’ situation, with the juggling act [becoming unsustainable for many working](https://www.financedigest.com/what-are-the-best-ways-to-become-more-productive-working-from-home.html "What are the best ways to become more productive working from home? ") mothers. Amanda Augustine, careers expert at [TopCV](https://www.topcv.com), commented: “Nursery and school closures throughout the UK forced many [working women to reduce their hours](https://www.financedigest.com/low-use-of-shortened-work-hours-points-to-mild-german-recession-ifo.html "Low use of shortened work hours points to mild German recession – Ifo") or resign in order to handle the overnight burden of home-schooling and childcare during lockdown. Whilst our data shows that most working mums are eager to return to the workforce, many may be forced to [choose between their careers and childcare unless more companies begin offering adequate flexibility policies and other benefits](https://www.financedigest.com/how-choosing-a-compliant-broker-benefits-traders.html "How Choosing a Compliant Broker Benefits Traders") that support their evolving needs.” “Though not a new problem, the lack of workplace flexibility experienced during the pandemic has eclipsed any progress made [towards achieving gender equality in the workforce](https://www.financedigest.com/reforecasting-towards-recovery-best-practices-for-financial-and-workforce-planning.html "Reforecasting towards recovery: best practices for financial and workforce planning"). It’s in the best interest of organisations, across all sectors, to establish a [‘new normal’](https://www.financedigest.com/how-banks-can-triumph-in-the-new-normal.html "HOW BANKS CAN TRIUMPH IN THE ‘NEW NORMAL’") during the post-COVID recovery by committing to providing benefits that better accommodate working mothers — starting with flexible work arrangements.” Whether you’re an employer looking to recruit more women to your organisation or a [working parent seeking employment at a company that values gender](https://www.financedigest.com/1-in-5-uk-workers-believe-there-is-a-gender-divide-with-work-uniforms.html " 1 in 5 UK workers believe there is a gender divide with work uniforms") diversity and equality, Augustine suggests prioritising the following workplace benefits: - **Flexible schedules:** Companies willing to provide their employees with the [flexibility to juggle their careers and household responsibilities are very attractive to working](https://www.financedigest.com/the-flexible-working-revolution-is-here-so-why-arent-you-tracking-expenses-on-the-go.html "‘The flexible working revolution is here – so why aren’t you tracking expenses on the go?’") mums. This flexibility can be offered in various forms: [working from home (part-time), working remotely](https://www.financedigest.com/7-tips-for-building-a-positive-remote-work-culture.html "7 tips for building a positive remote work culture") (full-time), schedule rearrangements, job-sharing, part-time and flexible working hours. - **Extra paid leave:** Some businesses have expanded their maternity leave policies to go beyond the standard [26 weeks of ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks of additional maternity leave](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/finding-out/maternity-and-paternity-benefits-and-leave/) for those who are working whilst pregnant. In addition, employers such as [Aviva](https://careers.aviva.co.uk/) and Etsy provide ‘gender blind’ parental leave, which entitles all parents-to-be, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender, whether they have given birth, gone through a surrogacy arrangement or chosen adoption, to 26 weeks leave on full basic pay. - **Childcare:** Whilst some employers include childcare as part of the employee remuneration package, others such as [Cisco](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/about/careers.html) and [Next](https://careers.next.co.uk/) provide on-site nurseries that employees can use for a certain number of days each year as back-up care. In addition, some companies such as [Goldman Sachs](https://www.goldmansachs.com/careers/) provide after-school and holiday programmes for children at their childcare centres. As more employees venture back to corporate workspaces, [benefits like these will regain importance in the workplace](https://www.financedigest.com/industries-with-the-most-workplace-accidents-and-workers-comp-benefits.html "Industries with the Most Workplace Accidents and Workers Comp Benefits"). --- This blog is powered by Superblog. Visit https://superblog.ai to know more. ---