Companies urged to take up flexible working for mothers

More than two thirds of stay-at-home mothers with young children would go back to work if flexible working was an option, a new study has found.

A survey of 1,600 mothers also revealed that more than a third of those working would put in more hours if they had better childcare arrangements.

The report, by social enterprise group Digital Mums, and the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said women could work millions more hours if companies were willing to offer flexible working.

Kathryn Tyler, one of Digital Mums' founders, said : "In today's highly connected world, there's simply no need for businesses to stick to an archaic 9-5 desk policy.

"We need a societal shift to embrace flexible working as the 'norm' and not the exception.

"This will not only help mums find rewarding careers that fit their skills and family life; it will help businesses tap into an amazing talent pool and, ultimately, increase output for the economy."