Breakthrough homeworking concept gives thousands new career prospects

iworkLife, a recruitment franchise network that gives individuals the opportunity to manage their own recruitment operation from their homes, today launches its UK-wide initiative. Aimed at individuals looking for a more flexible way of working, iworkLife will train and provide on-going support to people enabling them to provide recruitment services to local businesses. The initiative addresses the growing need for many women to find meaningful employment after maternity leave and halt the continual brain drain of talent from the UK economy.

Claire Dossett, Founder and Managing Director of iworkLife, wanted a more flexible career after having her first child. Like thousands of women, she found that the options available did not enable her to work and bring up a family, so she decided to create a business herself. She was rapidly able to build a working recruitment practice from her home, generate a significant income and raise a family. Two years down the line, Claire has joined forces with the award-winning Antal International, a specialist in EMEA, CEE and China recruitment and wants to give others in her position the same opportunities she has discovered since founding the company.

ìWorkplaces are wasting our women,î says Claire, citing a new government report which has found that it is harder for mothers to get a job than anyone else. ìA career woman who has left the workplace and wants to return after a few years, does not want to be reduced to the level of an 18 year old or be become a clerical assistant. It is, as the recent Women and Work Commission pointed out, an outrageous waste of talent. iworkLife gives women the opportunity to use their skills and experience in a way that suits them.î

Claire believes that the 60% of mothers who do not return to work after giving birth are a wasted asset, desperate for a flexible solution which fits around their conflicting demands. ìA whole generation of educated women shouldn’t be dismissed because we could really contribute if we were given a chance. It is estimated that increasing women’s employment would boost the economy by up to 23 billion per year.î

Recent research by Norwich Union shows that although 60% of mothers return to work after giving birth, only 14% of these are then keen to further their careers and the majority would still prefer to ditch their careers if money were no object.

ìDespite government initiatives, thousands people with specific skills are ëset asideí each year. Talented people, with real skills, experience and a proven track record are reduced to choosing between a full-time job or being a full-time parent or carer. The iworkLife solution enables these talented individuals to re-engage with the business community and lead more fulfilling and commercially productive lives.î

ìI have found a solution which works incredibly well. I am able to watch my family grow, work within my local community and can really feel a sense of fulfilment,î concludes Claire.