And What Happens to Women’s Earnings and Careers After Maternity Leave in the UK, With Emma Raftery-Kenworthy
What happens to women’s earnings and careers after maternity leave?
We discuss this topic – and more – with Emma Raftery-Kenworth, an experienced Head of Marketing and Passionate Feminist, in today’s podcast episode!
According to Emma, when women return to work after maternity leave, they often find their male counterparts are paid an average of 7% more than they are. And due to the high cost of childcare, many women leave the workforce, resulting in a significant economic loss.
Emma suggests that businesses can help support working parents by offering enhanced maternity pay policies. By offering better support for parents, companies can help to reduce the gender pay gap and create a more inclusive workplace.
We discuss Emma’s personal experience of returning to work after maternity leave, finding affordable and reliable childcare, negotiating flexible working arrangements and setting boundaries for a healthy work-life balance. As well as Emma’s perspective on the gender pay gap in the UK.
This episode is perfect for you if you are preparing to return to work after maternity leave or a career break, or are interested in learning about the gender pay gap in the UK.
Key Highlights
[00:00:00] Work It Like A Mum Podcast intro
[00:01:24] Today’s sponsor: Investing in Women UK
[00:01:53] Introduction to today’s guest and topic
[00:03:10] Emma’s experience before and after returning to work after maternity leave
[00:09:53] Keeping flexible working request arrangements
[00:14:14] Emma’s advice to anyone nervous to ask for a flexible working environment
[00:18:44] Emma’s findings on the gender pay gap and women’s earnings after maternity leave
[00:24:18] Being open about salaries
[00:26:31] Emma’s view on jobs that advertise as competitive
[00:28:02] Employers asking about previous salaries
[00:30:21] Things organizations can do to retain women after maternity leave
[00:32:33] Emma’s advice to someone returning to work after maternity leave
[00:35:08] Work It Like A Mum Podcast outro
Notable Quotes
● It’s crucial to help other women when you’ve been through similar experiences, like returning to work or raising children. Don’t forget the person who helped you and be that support for others. Don’t be the one to block the path for others once you’ve reached the top. I know for some women, there’s no cost benefit when they return to work. A lot of the time, they’re either paying to work, or they’re just totally breaking even at the end of the month.
● When asking for a flexible working environment, it can be disheartening, but stick at it. Know what you want, know your boundaries, and don’t waiver from them.
● The government’s maternity policies and childcare costs are inadequate. Businesses can help bridge the gap by supporting employees financially and emotionally to attract and retain talent, increase diversity, and create an inclusive workplace.
● I think the more open you are about your salaries, and men especially, that’s how they can help close the gender pay gap.
● To retain women after maternity leave, companies can provide a mentor who is also a mother, offer a clear onboarding process, and allow for a staggered return to work schedule.
● To promote diversity and inclusion, companies should offer flexibility for all employees with caregiving responsibilities, moving away from the traditional 9-5 mentality.
To Connect with Elizabeth Willetts:
Investing in Women’s Flexible Working Job Board