Working Moms Take on More Stress
Working mothers are working more hours or taking on second jobs to balance layoffs and less household income available during the economic downturn. In its annual Mother’s Day survey, CareerBuilder reports that 30 percent of working moms, whose companies have had layoffs in the past 12 months, are working longer hours and 14 percent of working moms have taken on second jobs in the last year to help make ends meet. One-third stated that they are burned out. The survey was conducted from Feb. 20 to March 11, 2009. Approximately 496 women who are employed full-time with children under the age of 18 were interviewed.
Working moms are feeling increased pressure to be able to continue providing for their households and are spending more time on work. Forty percent of working moms fear losing their jobs today more than they did one year ago. Forty-three percent work more than 40 hours per week, while 16 percent of working moms reported bringing work home at least two days a week. Six percent said work comes home with them every workday.
Increased workloads are impacting the quantity and quality of time spent with their families. Nearly one-in-five working moms said they spend two hours or less with their children each day. One-in-four reported they had missed two or more significant events in their child's life in the last year.
"More than anything, working moms want the gift of time this Mother's Day," said Mary Delaney, President of CareerBuilder's talent management and recruitment outsourcing division, Personified, and mother of three. "Nearly one-third say that despite it being one of the toughest economies in the nation's history, they would even consider taking a pay cut to spend more time with their kids. If you're struggling with work/life balance, talk to your manager. Working moms who communicate their need for flexible time, job sharing or something in between will find that most companies are receptive to these kinds of policies."
Many working moms choose to work alternative schedules so they can spend more time with their kids. Fifty-five percent of working moms say they take advantage of flexible work arrangements at their organizations, with the vast majority reporting that work style adjustments have not adversely affected their career progress.
Subscribe