Nursery World - Mothers miss out on work-life balance

Government initiatives aimed at improving work-life balance are failing women, according to new research that finds working mothers have low levels of awareness and take-up of the right to request flexible working and parental leave. The study at Liverpool John Moores University, funded by the European Social Fund, also found that the request for flexible working lacked any real power because of its voluntary nature.

The study at Liverpool John Moores University, funded by the European Social Fund, also found that the request for flexible working lacked any real power because of its voluntary nature.

The researchers said it was viewed as 'a fallback mechanism for employees who felt employers were treating them unfairly'.

Whether women asked for flexible working was also very dependent on the culture in their workplace and the attitude of colleagues and line managers.

The researchers interviewed 67 working mothers in the south-east, north-west and north-east of England. Focus groups were held with mothers with a range of jobs and policy-makers, academics and trade unions.

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