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More Moms Prefer Part-time Work
According to a study released in July 2007 by the Pew Research Center, 60% of working moms in the United States would be happiest in part-time jobs, preferring part-time work over full-time or no job.
Donna St George of The Washington Post writes: "In a notable shift during the past decade, working mothers overwhelmingly view fewer work hours as the best option for their busy lives with young children. The proportion of mothers who feel that way jumped 12 percentage points since 1997.
Now, 60 percent of employed mothers find part-time work most appealing. But just 24 percent of them actually have part-time hours, labor statistics show, and mothers working part time have not increased in number in the last decade…The report, by the nonprofit Pew Research Center reflects what some experts see as a convergence of trends in family life: workplace policies that have been slow to accommodate parents at a time when raising children has become a more intensive, involved enterprise."
At Conscious Consuming, we aren't surprised. If the Pew Research Center had surveyed all Americans, we bet both men and women, parents and people who aren't parents, would prefer part time work. Workplace policies need to change to support part time workers. Some of our suggestions include: full vacation and health benefits for all employees working 30 hours or more, flex time, and job sharing. Sadly, one of the top organizations working on these issues, Take Back Your Time, is in danger of losing its executive director due to lack of funding. If you are looking for a cause to donate to, this could be the non-profit for you!