A quarter of mothers who have taken maternity leave did not return to their job within a year, according to research by Matri Coaching.
Its survey of 501 mothers who have taken maternity leave in the past three years also found that among parents who left within a year of returning from maternity leave, 83% of respondents cited poor parenting or return-to-work policies as the reason. One in 10 mothers who left within a year of returning said they were discriminated against or forced out, and 15% chose not to return to their role at all.
They highlighted not being supported (55%), no consideration of reasonable adjustments to their role or working week (50%), and not allowing flexible working (33%) as some of the reasons.
More than half (51%) cited a lack of reasonable adjustments (51%), while 35% said their employer had expectations of them that were not possible after becoming a parent.
Furthermore, 57% were treated differently or made to feel uncomfortable when they were pregnant or after returning from maternity leave. One-third (36%) were made to feel as if their maternity leave was a break and 16% said it was implied they were no longer giving their all.
Sophie Maunder, founder of Matri Maternity Coaching, said: “The findings paint a worryingly bleak picture with regards to how many women are facing poor treatment when they are returning from maternity leave, or simply knowing that being a parent will not be compatible with their role or organisation, and are not choosing to return at all.
“Mothers are not asking for the world, they generally want some practical flexibility that allows them to both work and be a parent, and for their employers to be supportive and understand that some give and take is required. When organisations do not offer this, they ultimately end up losing talent and have to fork out to replace those who leave.”
