Over the weekend there was yet more coverage (see here and here) around how one of the groups most affected by the rise in unemployment is working mums.

The Alliance Against Pregnancy Discrimination in the Workplace believes that pregnant and new mums are more likely to face redundancy in this recession. 30,000 mums actually lose their jobs each year as a result of becoming pregnant.

As a new mum myself, with a beautiful 14 month old son, I was unlucky enough to face redundancy just six weeks after returning to work from maternity leave. As an ambitious professional it was certainly a blow to my confidence – and made me wonder if working life would ever be the same again.

I have experienced, as many working mums have no doubt similarly gone through, negative reactions to my wish to work part-time – from eyes glazing mid interview when the topic of part time was raised to people commenting that anyone wanting to work less than the traditional working week is doing it purely for ‘pocket money’.

It seems archaic to me that in this day and age mothers (who lets face it are essential to the continuation of society) who wish to continue their professional development still face this kind of attitude. Who decided that ambition and professionalism can only be offered by someone who works five days a week? In fact, in a recession part time working can be a bonus to companies – who can get the experience and skills they need, without paying the full salary. Recruitment websites are reporting a steep increase in workers searching for part time employment – both men and women potentially – so it may be something employers need to start considering more.

I was extremely lucky to find a job with an understanding and forward thinking employer like Quest. Quest looked beyond the fact that I only wanted a four day a week role and instead saw an experienced PR professional who was eager, motivated, ambitious and prepared to work hard.

Sadly many of my ex-colleagues who had children felt unable to return to PR. I find it sad that many years of experience and outstanding skills are being lost to the industry simply because many in it still have an old-fashioned view of what it means to employ working mums. If nothing else you show me a PR team which couldn’t benefit from an employee who can juggle 15 jobs at once with their eyes closed, can keep calm in any crisis, shows compassion and understanding to colleagues, can handle an unruly or demanding colleague or client without blinking and above all wants to be working*?

Working mums don’t want special treatment – they just want the chance to enjoy working as well as being a parent.

* I’d like to make clear that I’m not in any way implying all mothers have these skills and all non-parents don’t. Honest.

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