Page 9 - BPW-UK - E-news - Edition 104 - July 2022

Similarly, a Mumsnet survey found that 62% of parents confirmed that childcare costs were
identical to their rents or mortgages. The ‘Gingerbread’ charity which supports single moth-
ers receives many reports from women who are unable to work in posts for which they are
qualified. Almost 75% of single parents receive universal credit but the £646 monthly child-
care allowance is insufficient in many areas of the country. The allowance was based on
2005 costs and has failed to keep pace with current costs.

While some progress has been made to enable more people to work from home as a conse-
quence of the pandemic, the article cites examples showing that some employers are resist-
ing the introduction of other flexible working arrangements.

The impact of taking a career break results not only in loss of earnings but importantly stalls
progress up the career ladder, reduces experience, knowledge and often self-confidence and
risks creating a lack of women in the middle rungs on the ladder who frequently provide sup-
port to their junior colleagues.

In general women continue to earn less than their male counterparts and hence the option of
fathers taking a career break is not always a feasible approach.

Canadian parents are offered early learning and child care spaces for the equivalent of £6.36
per day for children under 6 years and studies indicate that every dollar invested in childcare
generates between $1.50 - $2.80 for the economy. Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer
announced a £300 million support package (Start for Life) in the 2021 autumn budget to es-
tablish 75 family hubs to enable parents to access services in one location. However, the ini-
tiative has been criticised as a token gesture by critics.

Jill Turner
BPW UK SEW - June 2022

Should I quit my job?

How straightforward would it be for me to rejoin the workforce after months or years? Be-
fore deciding to quit my career, these were some of the questions that occupied my
thoughts. Over a decade ago, I made a choice to stay at home and care for my children, and
I have no regrets.
The need to cater for under-school aged children

The first two years were completely devoted to my responsibilities as a mother. By the third
year, I was almost frustrated with the feeling of loss of financial freedom. I started earning
money by assisting other mothers who had returned to work early with household tasks such
as food shopping and home organisation. Also, I recognised the need to utilise the adaptabil-
ity of online learning to enhance my existing skill set or acquire new ones. Being a stay-at-
home mother did not prevent me from working in any capacity. I faced quite a lot of chal-
lenges when I attempted to go back to work. The previous job was gone, and my extended
leave was taken as an unserious attitude to work. Eventually, I got a job but had to resolve
back to taking care of my children due to the distance of the childcare location to my place
of work and I was often called upon because my little one needed my attention often.
By the fourth and fifth year, I had launched my own little business and obtained a project
management certification. Then, I opted for a part-time job which gave me the flexibility I
needed. Though my staying at home didn't impact on my family's financial stability, it im-
pacted on my self-confidence, career progression, and level of financial independence. The
decision to stay at home did not threaten my family's financial security, but it did slow my
progress towards professional success and personal independence. While I was at home, I
had to keep up my optimism about returning to work. So, I set out to see what local re-
sources were accessible to me as a budding businesswoman. Being a member of BPW is in-
strumental in helping me expand my professional network and strengthen my professional
abilities.

Busola Dakolo BPW
BPW UK SEW - June 2022