ëWork/life balance is a struggleí say female technologist

Recent research of over 200 women by womenintechnology.co.uk, the online job board and networking group has revealed that the majority of women working in IT are dissatisfied with their work/life balance and that although employers say they support flexible working, the reality is often quite different.

Don't forget to register to attend the Biggest Online Recruitment Event of the Year - Click here and complete the form and a member of the Onrec.com team will be in touch

The research, carried out at the ìWorking Smarter, Not Harderî, networking event recently hosted by womenintechnology.co.uk and Microsoft, showed that although over half (55%) felt that they did have a work / life balance, almost all added an ìalthoughî or a ìbutî to their answer.

ìItís a tough juggling actî said one respondent. ìI have struggled with it throughout my career. Itís definitely something you have to make happen rather than expect other people to provide.î Other respondents commented on how much work/life balance can differ from job to job, ìI fear every time I change jobs about whether the company is going to put work/life balance on their agendaî said one woman.

77% said that their current organisation does support flexible working, but many added that this was very limited and that although flexible working was supported in theory, the reality is that it is not practiced. Others commented that flexible working hours are frowned upon by colleagues and that managersí discretion is an important factor. One respondent explained ìyes my organisation does support flexible working; however my understanding is that in reality, not all managers allow their respective teams to participate.î

Maggie Berry, Director of womenintechnology.co.uk says that this widespread dissatisfaction with work/life balance was what the event aimed to address: ìOur key note speaker was Dr Suzanne Doyle-Morris who talked about what makes successful people work smarter and not harder in order to achieve a work life balance that is unique and completely right for them. The number of women working in IT is dwindling and work/life balance is often cited as a key reason for thisî she explains. ìHopefully the event taught the women present how they can work ësmarter, not harderí and find a way of achieving that work/life balance that we all strive for.î

Details of the event can be found at: