Mums go it alone in business to achieve work-life balance

The survey of more than 2,200 mothers on the parenting advice website shows a desire for flexible working hours and a move away from nine-to-five employment.

One in eight of the respondents said they sought a better work-life balance with 70 per cent saying they would work more hours it they could fit in the extra time around family commitments.

"Many mums want to work for both the financial freedom and sense of achievement they get from having a successful livelihood, but not to the detriment of their children," said Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of Netmums.com.

"We hear every day from mums who are finding it stressful and frustrating trying to get a work-life balance due to the lack of flexible working and part-time jobs. Employers should realise the opportunities in helping us achieve our flexibility goals, which help maximise working mums’ potential to the benefit of both parties."

Currently, parents have the right to request flexible working from employers if their children are aged under 17, under 18 if they have a disability, or if they are carers of certain adults. However, such requests can only be made after 26 weeks of employment.

Working Families chief executive Sarah Jackson said: "We know how hard it is for mothers to find good-quality part-time work. So it is unsurprising that they are starting up their own businesses as one solution to a more balanced life. But for those who don’t want to follow this route, there is a lot employers can do. 

"Offering flexible working can keep talented mothers in their jobs. Others are looking for work but too few jobs are advertised on a flexible or part-time basis so mothers don’t apply for them. The result is that employers aren’t recruiting from the widest possible talent pool. We’d like to see many more jobs advertised and recruited to on a flexible basis: it is a win-win for parents and employers."