Schedule flexibility may be key in keeping mothers in the workforce
Source: HR Dive โ
A new study of 213 U.S. working mothers who either remained in or left fullโtime employment after becoming parents finds that control over work schedules may matter more than the ability to work remotely. Researchers, led by Andreassi, report that mothers who can decide when they work are more likely to stay with their employers, especially when senior leaders visibly endorse and model workโlife balance. The survey highlights that merely offering flexible policies is insufficient; active leadership support drives utilization of those benefits and improves retention among working mothers.
The findings challenge the prevailing assumption that remote work is the top priority for parent employees. Contextual data from a 2025 Motherly and University of Phoenix report shows that half of โsandwichโgenerationโ mothersโthose caring for both children and adult dependentsโhave left jobs due to caregiving duties, and twoโthirds say their employers lack adequate benefits for adult caregiving, with 68โฏ% citing insufficient childโcare support. A separate Zety survey of GenerationโฏX workers reveals that 22โฏ% spend more than 16โฏhours weekly on caregiving, and 44โฏ% struggle to stay focused at work, underscoring the broader pressures that schedule flexibility could alleviate.
The research suggests employers should move beyond policy checklists to cultivate a culture where flexibility is actively encouraged and without career penalty. By granting greater control over when work is performed and ensuring leaders champion such practices, organizations can better retain talented mothers who might otherwise exit the labor force. This shift could address the attrition highlighted in the sandwichโgeneration studies and improve overall productivity, as more caregivers would be able to balance work responsibilities with family obligations.
โก Effects Interpreter
๐World Economylow impact
What this means for you
- โถDistant markets sometimes move on rumour before the facts even settle.
- โถGlobal supply chains might feel a slight tremor as businesses adjust.
๐๏ธLocal Economylow impact
What this means for you
- โถApprenticeships and training schemes in the sector may be affected too.
- โถUnion reps in the area may already be asking questions about this.
๐ฆRates & Bankslow impact
What this means for you
- โถInterest rates and mortgage bills are unlikely to jump straight away from this alone.
- โถA modest drift in borrowing costs is more plausible than a sharp jump.
โค๏ธHealthhigh impact
What this means for you
- โถSome people feel this news more keenly than others, and that's worth acknowledging.
- โถLocal surgeries and clinics might see a short-lived rise in enquiries.
๐ทWealthlow impact
What this means for you
- โถBuilding a financial buffer now beats scrambling for one further down the line.
- โถIt might be wise to review outgoings if jobs are on the line.
๐ Housinglow impact
What this means for you
- โถFirst-time buyers watching the market closely may see little change in the short term.
- โถProperty values usually need more than one headline to really move.
๐ Effects for your country
The U.S.'s central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The U.S.'s economy is growing at 2.3% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the U.S.'s own central bank rate closely. With the U.S.'s unemployment at 4.4%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in the U.S. depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UK's central bank rate currently stands at 3.75%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UK's economy is growing at 0.8% with inflation at 3.2%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UK's own central bank rate closely. With the UK's unemployment at 5.6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in the UK depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
France's central bank rate currently stands at 2%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. France's economy is growing at 0.9% with inflation at 1.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track France's own central bank rate closely. With France's unemployment at 7.9%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is already under strain. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in France depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
Romania's central bank rate currently stands at 6.5%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. Romania's economy is growing at 0.7% with inflation at 7.8%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track Romania's own central bank rate closely. With Romania's unemployment at 6%, personal-finance effects like this land on a labour market that is currently fairly stable. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in Romania depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.
The UAE's central bank rate currently stands at 3.65%, so a global rates move like this could feed through to local borrowing costs. The UAE's economy is growing at 3.1% with inflation at 2.5%, the backdrop this story's effects play out against locally. Housing-market effects like this are usually felt most where mortgage rates track the UAE's own central bank rate closely. Health-system effects are harder to localise from economic indicators alone โ the real impact in the UAE depends more on local healthcare capacity than the figures above.