More than three-quarters of mums in the UAE would choose or already have chosen to go back to work after having a baby, according to new research.
A survey by employment network Mums@Work and YouGov found that 77 percent of mums said they would like to work or went back to work after having a baby, while only 16 percent of mums said they would choose, or chose, not to and eight percent said they were unsure.
Mums@Work launched in the UAE this week backed by recruitment consultant Mackenzie Jones, and aims to connect UAE-based mums with flexible employment.
Its survey found that, for those who said they would choose to work again after having a baby, 51 percent would opt for a full time role, 30 percent would opt for a part time role and 19 percent would opt for a more flexible role.
The main reasons for mothers to want to go back to work were financial stability (61 percent) and independence (19 percent).
The biggest barrier for mums returning to the workplace was flexibility, with more than 38 percent of women claiming that they could not juggle family and work commitments. Guilt was the main factor for 25 percent of respondents.
Mums@Work said 51 mothers responded to the survey, which was conducted in March. Of those, 77 percent had had a professional job before they took time off to have their babies.
The organisation also noted that the proportion of respondents aged between 30 and 39 years old were generally more eager to return to work than the overall group, which included women aged from 18 to over 40.
Eighty-eight percent of the 30-39 age group said they had either returned or were eager to return to work rather than 77 percent.
However, the research also revealed that 49 percent of mums looking to return to work said they would only do so if there were flexible or part-time options available.
Louise Karim, managing director of Mums@Work, said: “The findings [of the survey] are extremely interesting and further strengthen our commitment to providing a platform that gives the 77 percent of mothers across the UAE the opportunities that they are looking for.”
She added: “There is a wealth of women in this market who have taken time off to raise their children and after either a short or extended break, are not sure of the best route back to their chosen profession, which also suits their family.
“This research shows the sheer volume of women looking to return to work after having children and the key driver of this being financial stability.”
David Mackenzie, founder of Mums@Work, added: “There is such a huge wealth of talent in the form of women who have had successful careers and have chosen to dedicate time to their families. There are also an increasing number of employers looking for highly skilled employees who are flexible in their work patterns.
“To me it is madness that we didn’t come up with the Mums@Work concept years ago, and the research findings highlight the need for such a service in today’s climate – in line with the UAE’s commitment to gender equality and diversity, as outlined by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
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