In an online survey of more than 700 working mothers in mid- to
senior-level management positions, nearly 90 percent of the respondents
reported that, if there were no obstacles, they would work either
full-time, part-time or under a flex-time arrangement (reported by 31
percent, 26 percent and 33 percent of respondents, respectively). Just
11 percent said they would not work at all.
Additionally, almost three-quarters (74 percent) say that their
work/life balance is always right or is right most of the time, and
nearly seven in 10 respondents (69 percent) believe that women can
"have it all."
"Leading employers are offering innovative programs that help their
employees balance their work and family commitments," said Jill Smart,
Accenture's chief human resources officer. "These companies understand
that to meet the needs and realities of today's workforce, they must
offer employees choices across the lifecycle of their careers,
providing new solutions at different points in employees' lives."
According to respondents, flex-time, part-time and a modified work week
are the three most commonly offered flexibility programs (cited by 61
percent, 51 percent and 44 percent of respondents, respectively). But,
while 37 percent say their companies offer telecommuting as a work
option, that program (at 50 percent) tops the wish list of respondents
to whom it's not offered.
Other programs that respondents want but that are not offered by their
employers include flex-time, employer-provided alternative day care and
a modified work week (cited by 47 percent, 44 percent and 40 percent of
respondents, respectively). Just 17 percent report that their employers
do not offer any flex programs.
The survey also found that:
* The great majority (85 percent) of respondents say their employers
are understanding of their child-care issues. Nonetheless, working
mothers missed work an average of three times over the past year
because of child-care issues
* The most popular option for back-up child care is a spouse or
significant other (cited by 65 percent). This was followed by
relatives, friends/neighbors and alternative day care (cited by 58
percent, 32 percent and 14 percent of respondents, respectively)
* Just slightly more than half (54 percent) of working mothers take advantage of flex programs as often as they need to
