With more than 13 million working parents and three million unpaid working carers in the UK, the business case for becoming a truly family-friendly employer has never been stronger. But a new report by recruitment agency Randstad, in partnership with Mumsnet, has revealed a stark reality for working mothers in the UK: while flexible working is seen as a crucial solution to balancing work and family life, the reality often falls short of expectations.
The report quizzed 1,000 Mumsnet users who are working parents and also mined posts on the Mumsnet site about the experiences of working parents over the past five years. It revealed that the overwhelming majority of mothers - 84% - have experienced gender or motherhood-related discrimination, while three-quarters (75%) feel negatively about the impact of having children on their careers. A key issue remains the lack of genuine flexibility, with nearly seven out of 10 mothers saying they have had to forgo promotions due to their parental responsibilities.
Despite flexibility being a top priority for nine out of 10 working mothers, many report a disconnect between employer policies and actual workplace culture. Inflexible hours are cited as the number one reason mothers leave their jobs, and while some find flexible arrangements better than expected, many still feel unsupported when trying to balance career progression with family life.
“Employers cannot afford to ignore the realities of working mothers,” said Victoria Short, CEO of Randstad UK. “We know flexibility is key to retaining and advancing female talent, yet too often, policies don’t translate into meaningful change. Organisations that fail to offer genuine, career-friendly flexibility risk losing a critical segment of their workforce.”
The report also highlights gaps in paternity leave and return-to-work support. While mothers take an average of 10 months of maternity leave, fathers typically take just four weeks, with fewer than one in five mothers (18%) happy about their partner’s paternity leave package. Additionally, over 40% of women reported losing work-related benefits after having children, exacerbating career setbacks.
Employers play a critical role in shaping an inclusive workforce. The report suggests that clearer communication around shared parental leave policies, improved return-to-work support, and true flexibility in working arrangements are vital for progress. Given that 86% of mothers and 97% of fathers return to the same employer post-parental leave, businesses have a unique opportunity to support their employees more effectively.
"Mumsnet users repeatedly tell us that flexibility is the single most important factor when it comes to juggling work, childcare and career progression,” said Justine Roberts, Mumsnet Founder and CEO. “But it's not just employees who benefit from a culture of flexibility - all of the evidence suggests that flexible working increases productivity and helps with staff retention. Companies who take the leap are rewarded with a dedicated, hard-working and loyal workforce".