September 2024

Published in: HR Magazine
Written by: Charissa King

Campaigners have strapped lifesized doll babies in slings to statues of men in central London, in a stunt aimed at lobbying the UK government to improve its parental leave offering.

Campaigners argue that this offer is the least generous of all European countries, leading to less than two thirds (63.7%) of fathers taking two weeks paternity leave or less, according to findings published on 8 March by Pregnant then Screwed.

June 2024

Published in: The Independant
Written by: Katie Rosseinsky

The Labour Party has vowed to create 100,000 additional nursery places to support working parents, while the Tories previously promised to offer 30 hours of free childcare for kids aged nine months to five years old from September 2025. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, have set their sights on a major paternity leave overhaul. They’ve promised to introduce a “dad month”, giving new fathers an extra “use it or lose it” month of paid leave. But would that actually be enough to change things for ordinary families, let alone shake up a clearly inadequate system? And what is the long-term impact of the current policy on fathers and their children?

JUNE 2024

Published In: HR Grapevine
Written By: Serena Haththotuwa

In the UK, one in five jobs performed by women are in industries where working from home is difficult or impossible, such as in health and social care, which are historically female-centric occupations. Simultaneously, many roles that were once home bound are now permanently in the office due to return-to-office mandates.

Reportedly, a trend is rising whereby there is a growing number of men working remotely whilst their wife returns to the office. As a result, there may be a shift taking place in the roles and responsibilities traditionally taken on by men and women in heterosexual relationships.

APRIL 2024

Published in: The HR Director
Written by: Helen Sachdev

Work forms a big part of our lives – for many of us it can be a source of identity, financial independence, purpose, ambition and routine. Not to mention the friendship and social connections that a workplace can offer. And it’s because of this, that the transition from worker to working parent, can be difficult to navigate.

Dive into the complex journey of transitioning from worker to working parent with insights from the WOMBA (Work, Me and the Baby) study, and 10 most important questions to ask before going on maternity leave.

March 2024

Published In: MSN Lifestyle
Written by: Lauren Taylor

Singer Lily Allen has said that “you can’t have it all” and that having children “ruined her career”, in an interview on the Radio Times podcast.

The 38-year-old is mum to Ethel Mary, 11, and Marnie Rose, nine, with ex-husband Sam Cooper.

“I never really had a strategy when it comes to career, but yes, my children ruined my career. I love them and they complete me, but in terms of pop-stardom, they totally ruined it,” said Allen, who rose to fame with hits Smile and The Fear in the mid-Noughties.

March 2024

Published in: Family Friendly Working

Although many organisations now recognise the huge value in supporting working parents – and have dedicated time and resources to doing so – many are still failing to see significant or lasting change. A report published by working parent champion WOMBA (Work, Me and the Baby), in partnership with Hult International Business School (Ashridge), has shone a light on why.

‘The priority actions for boards to drive equal opportunities for working parents’ has revealed that many working parents do not use the policies, support and benefits available to them because they fear being judged negatively by colleagues and managers, and worry about the consequences of doing so on career progression.

Feb 2024

Published in: FinancialAccountant
Written by: Jasmine Crittenden

Research from across the world shows that mothers earn less over the course of their careers than fathers and less than women without children.

This is known, shorthand, as the “motherhood penalty”.

Last year, a new study examined the problem from another perspective, delving into the impact of motherhood on job quality.

Here, we investigate the meaning of the motherhood penalty, dig into the study’s findings – and look at what accountants and SMEs can do to help.

Feb 2024

Published in: HRD Connect
Written by: Rachael Kennedy

The bill presents an opportunity for the government to take a more comprehensive look at parental leave policies.

The Shared Parental Leave and Pay (Bereavement) Bill, proposed by Labour MP Chris Elmore, has successfully passed its first stage in the House of Commons.

This legislation aims to close a legal loophole that currently leaves some parents without sufficient time to grieve, plan, and adjust to life without the mother of their child following a tragic loss during pregnancy or childbirth.

Feb 2024

Published in: HR Grapevine
Written by: Serena Haththotuwa

Ultimately, the flexibility associated with remote work has given way for people to work in a way to fit their unique wants and needs – which can enhance equality in the workplace.

However, when employers look at factors outside of performance to assess employees, this can lead to bias and inequality in the workplace. Here’s why..

Feb 2024

Published in: Workplace Wellbeing
Written by: Alison Green

Although many organisations now recognise the huge value in supporting working parents – and have dedicated a lot of time and resources to doing so – many are still failing to implement significant or lasting change.

A new report published by our team here at WOMBA (Work, Me and the Baby) in partnership with Hult International Business School (Ashridge) has provided us with much needed clarity on why.

Jan 2024

Published in: People Management UK
Written by: Helen Sachdev

In recent years, the situation for working families has dramatically worsened. Despite glimmers of progress and change, the UK’s approach has made it nearly impossible for two working parents to both achieve a fulfilling career.

The crippling cost of childcare in Britain has had a disproportionate impact on mums in particular. Despite the majority wanting to work, many have been forced to sacrifice their careers in lieu of childcare responsibilities. Almost twice as many working mums as dads have considered leaving their jobs because of the burden of childcare, according to a recent survey commissioned by the Fawcett Society and Totaljobs.

Nov 2023

Published in: workingdads
Written by: Ben Falk

A new report, published by organisational and executive coaching practice, WOMBA (Work, Me and the Baby) in partnership with Hult International Business School (Ashridge) has revealed 12 evidence-based actions that will drive significant and positive change for working parents and organisations in the UK.

Nov 2023

Published in: the HR Director
Written by: Helen Sachdev

A new report* has revealed 12 evidence-based actions that will drive significant and positive change for working parents and organisations in the UK. It aims to equip boards and organisational leaders with a better insight into the experience of working parents, and how best to drive equal opportunities for mums and dads in their organisations. The report highlights the importance of collaboration between people leads, boards and the government.

Nov 20 2023

Published in: d&i Leaders
Written by: Annie Makoff

Helen Sachdev, director of specialist coaching practice for working parents WOMBA (Work, Me and the Baby) agrees. “Job sharing leads to greater role resilience and career progression. It offers talented employees the incentive to remain in an organisation, especially those with young children.”

April 2023

Published: Space2BE Podcast
Speakers: Karen Griffin, Helen Sachdev & Alison

Did you know:
Only 16% of executive positions are filled by women?
80% UK companies are still paying their women less than their men?
Employers are losing great women at the stage they become a parent & evidence is now showing key challenges associated with take up of male parental leave.

Join this ground breaking podcast with WOMBA’s Helen Sachdev and Alison Green, hosted by Karen Griffin, where we talk about the work being done to raise awareness and support for working parents and organisations.

Feb 2023

Published in: Huffington Post
Written by: Natasha Hinde

Any mum who’s tried to keep their career in tact after having children will tell you it’s no mean feat.

Between the extra long days, the worries people think you’re not taking your job seriously and the guilt that comes from working overtime and not feeling present enough for your child, it’s A Lot.

Our new piece of research has seen mums open up about the difficulties – and sometimes impossibilities – of juggling work and motherhood.

Feb 2023

Published In: WeAreTheCity
Written by: Alison Green

WOMBA Director, Alison Green, writes for WeAreTheCity about how working dads are breaking down barriers to gender equality.

For working dads, COVID-19 considerably changed their relationship with work and family.

Not only did it prove to be an awakening – with many dads for the first time appreciating the challenges of juggling work and childcare – it was also a period that showed parents a different and better way forward. Now, many have no intention of returning to the outdated, pre-pandemic routines that prove to be barriers to a healthy work-family balance.