The Maternity Leave Crisis: Why 85% of Mothers Leave Work
Dec 06, 2024
Let’s Talk About Maternity Leave
- New mothers in the UK typically take around 10-11 weeks of maternity leave.
- Only 33% of fathers utilise their paternity leave entitlement.
- Globally, the average duration of maternity leave is just 16.3 weeks.
These numbers tell a story, and it's not a happy one. You’re a new mother, and you’re caught between a rock and a hard place.
The Challenge of Balancing Career and Motherhood
The expectation is to seamlessly balance career ambitions with the demands of motherhood. But let’s be honest: you can’t. Who can? Something has to give.
This struggle isn't about personal inadequacies; it's about a system that hasn’t evolved to meet our needs. Mothers just aren’t taken into account yet.
The Reality for New Mothers in the Workplace
I’ve spoken with countless women who feel torn between their roles as professionals and as new mothers. They worry that taking maternity leave will set them back in their careers, leading many to return to work before they’re truly ready. Then, despite wanting to stay, 79% end up leaving full-time work within 2 years.
WCorp's Commitment to Change
So, what can we do? At WCorp, we're committed to changing this narrative.
We’re actively working with organizations to implement family-friendly policies that support both mothers and fathers. We advocate for extended paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive support for mothers transitioning back to work.
The Impact of Women Returning to Work
Think about what we'd lose if women couldn't sustainably return to work after having children.
- Sarah Ferguson founded Children in Crisis, educating over 1.4 million children.
- Sam Smith grew finnCap from £1m turnover a year to £1m a week.
- Indra Nooyi led PepsiCo as the first woman of color and immigrant CEO of a Fortune 50 company.
- Michelle Obama became a distinguished attorney and launched impactful initiatives like "Let Girls Learn".
Join the Movement for Change
But we need your help. Together, we can create a world where parenthood and career success go hand in hand. Let’s work towards a future where every mother feels empowered to take the time they need without fear or guilt.
Are you ready to join the movement?
