Over half of working mums attribute children to lack of career progress

A new study has shed light on the obstacles that pregnancy places on working women.

Research by watchshop.com found that 56% of British mothers think they would be further in their careers if they didn’t have children. 33% said they felt guilty if they have to miss work because of their children.  

Joeli Brearley, Founder of the online project Pregnant Then Screwed, told The Independent: “In a work environment, maternity leave is normal, paternity leave longer than two weeks is not. Therefore women tend to bear the brunt of childcare responsibilities, even when there are two working parents in the family.”

This “brunt” continues throughout their return to work. Research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission concluded that up to 54,000 annually lose their jobs due to workplace discrimination against pregnant women and new mothers.