UpFRONT Flexitime is fundamental

For those companies that haven’t yet got the message, recent Robert Half Finance and Accounting International Survey offers further confirmation that flexible working conditions are vital for the advancement of working mums.
Its recent sampling of HR and finance managers from nine countries, including New Zealand, found that 62 percent thought working mothers can be disadvantaged because of the long hours expected of them. And 24 percent said they were given fewer responsibilities than male colleagues.
Conditions are, however, improving with 62 percent of companies now offering flexible hours, 20 percent allowing distance working and 45 percent open to part-time work options. And despite the added difficulties more than three quarters of respondents said their companies had senior executives who were working mums.
In previous Robert Half survey, third of respondents thought women were prevented from reaching executive roles because they were more focused on family needs.