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Working Moms Struggle With Work/Life Balance

Quality time with family is the most important "to-do" on working moms' lists, according to CareerBuilder's annual Mother's Day survey conducted from February 20 to March 11, 2009, among 496 women, employed full-time, with children under the age of 18. In fact, some working moms report struggling to find work/life balance as they take on additional hours and second jobs in tough financial times. Thirty percent of working moms, whose companies have had layoffs in the past 12 months, are working longer hours and 14% of working moms have taken on second jobs in the last year to help make ends meet. One-third (34%) reported they are burned out.

The survey noted that working moms are feeling increased pressure to be able to continue providing for their households and are spending more time on work. Forty percent of working moms fear losing their jobs today -- more than they did one year ago. Forty-three percent work more than 40 hours per week, while 16% of working moms reported bringing work home at least two days a week. Six percent said work comes home with them every workday.

Also, increased workloads are impacting the quantity and quality of time spent with their families. Nearly one-in-five working moms (19%) said they spend two hours or less with their children each day. One-in-four (25%) reported they had missed two or more significant events in their child's life in the last year.

"More than anything, working moms want the gift of time this Mother's Day," said Mary Delaney, president of CareerBuilder's talent management and recruitment outsourcing division, Personified, and mother of three. "Nearly one-third say that despite it being one of the toughest economies in the nation's history, they would even consider taking a pay cut to spend more time with their kids. If you're struggling with work/life balance, talk to your manager. Working moms who communicate their need for flexible time, job sharing or something in between will find that most companies are receptive to these kinds of policies."

Many working moms choose to work alternative schedules so they can spend more time with their kids. Fifty-five percent of working moms say they take advantage of flexible work arrangements at their organizations, with the vast majority reporting that work style adjustments have not adversely affected their career progress.