CHICAGO, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Can working
parents really have it all, achieving success in both their careers
and as parents? A resounding 78 percent of working moms and 83
percent of working dads say yes, according to CareerBuilder's
Annual Mother's Day Survey. The
definition of success, however, differs by gender.
The survey, conducted on behalf of CareerBuilder by Harris Poll
between February 11 and March 6,
2015, explores what it means to be both a full-time parent
and a full-time employee in today's economy – and how experiences
differ between men and women. It also explores perceptions of
employers, showing you can gain valuable experience for the
workplace just from being a parent.
Participants in the study include more than 2,000 employers and
464 working mothers and 340 working fathers with children 18 years
old and younger who are living at home with them.
Single Income Households Becoming a New Norm?
The
number of working parents who are the sole breadwinners in their
households is climbing, and the gap between men and women is
closing. Thirty-nine percent of working moms and 43 percent of
working dads reported they are the sole financial providers in
their homes, up from 31 percent and 37 percent, respectively, in
2014.
Working dads were significantly more likely to report they
currently earn their desired salaries – 28 percent compared to 17
percent of working moms.
Having it All…Mostly
While the vast majority of
working moms feel they can have it all, only half (52 percent) said
they are equally successful in their jobs and as parents. Roughly
one third (34 percent) of working moms report they're more
successful as a parent, compared to 32 percent of men. Working dads
were more likely to say they are more successful in their careers
than as parents – 19 percent compared to 15 percent of women.
The Definition of Success
When identifying factors
that define success in their careers, working moms were more likely
to point to how much money they earn – 53 percent compared to 45
percent of men. However, a six-figure salary isn't necessarily at
the top of the list for working moms. Only 17 percent of working
moms said they need to earn six figures in order to feel
successful, compared to 39 percent of men.
Four out of five working moms (82 percent) and working dads (80
percent) say the top factor defining success for them is the
ability to provide for their families. However, working moms were
more likely to stress the importance of enjoying the work they do
(77 percent compared to 60 percent of working dads). Working dads
were more likely to say they define success by whether their family
is proud of what they do (42 percent compared to 35 percent of
working moms).
Balancing Work and Family
On average, working moms
report spending more time with their children each day than working
dads; however, they are also more likely to report work has
negatively affected their parenting.
During the typical workweek, half of working moms (57 percent)
spend four or more hours with their children every day, and 35
percent of working dads do the same. Only 6 percent of working moms
say they spend an hour or less with their children each day,
compared to 13 percent of working dads who do the same.
Despite spending more quality time with their children, working
moms are nearly twice as likely as working dads to say their job
has negatively affected their relationships with their children –
25 percent of working moms versus 13 percent of working dads.
Women are also more likely than men to say being a parent has
caused their professional work to suffer – 17 percent of working
moms versus 9 percent of working dads.
Three Ways to Gain More Flexibility at Work (And Make More
Time for Family)
"Employers are increasingly open to providing flexible work
arrangements to employees so long as they can maintain a high level
of productivity," says Rosemary
Haefner, chief human resources officer of CareerBuilder and
working mom. Haefner suggests approaching your manager to see if
any of the following options work for you.
- Flexible work hours: More companies are moving away from
traditional schedules to help employees achieve a better work/life
balance. Ask your boss if you can come in later or leave earlier on
certain days, enabling you to get your kids to school or daycare,
run errands during less hectic times or take care of other
priorities.
- Work remotely: Some companies may provide the option to
work from home or a remote office, helping you spend less time (and
money) commuting and more flexibility with how you choose to spend
that saved time.
- Compressed hours: Instead of working five eight-hour
days, see if it's possible to work four 10-hour days, giving you
one extra day during the week to take care of personal errands or
appointments – or simply relax.
Is Being a Parent Résumé Material?
Parents new to the
workforce or looking to jump back in may find raising children has
equipped them with a marketable set of skills. Sixty-nine percent
of employers believe the skills acquired by being a parent can
qualify as relevant experience in the corporate world. The
experience parents gain that employers find most valuable are:
- Patience – 67 percent
- Ability to multi-task – 62 percent
- Time management – 59 percent
- Conflict management – 51 percent
- Problem-solving – 51 percent
- Empathy – 43 percent
- Mentoring – 40 percent
- Negotiation – 37 percent
- Budgeting and managing finances – 36 percent
- Project management – 30 percent
Nearly 1 in 10 working moms (8 percent) have included their
parenting skills in their resume or cover letter.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online
within the U.S. by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder among
2,138 hiring managers and human resource professionals, 464 working
moms and 340 working dads of kids 18 and under living in their
household (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government)
between February 11 and March 6, 2015
(percentages for some questions are based on a subset, based on
their responses to certain questions). With pure probability
samples of 2,138, 464 and 340, one could say with a 95 percent
probability that the overall results have a sampling error of
+/-2.12, +/- 4.55 and +/- 5.31 percentage points, respectively.
Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.
About CareerBuilder®
CareerBuilder is the global
leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and
attract great talent. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®,
is the largest in the United
States with more than 24 million unique visitors and 1
million jobs. CareerBuilder works with the world's top employers,
providing everything from labor market intelligence to talent
management software and other recruitment solutions. Owned by
Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy
Company (NYSE:MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in
the United States, Europe, South
America, Canada and
Asia. For more information, visit
www.careerbuilder.com.
Media Contact
Mary
Lorenz
773-527-3613
mary.lorenz@careerbuilder.com
http://www.twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR
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SOURCE CareerBuilder