New survey reveals the extent of anxiety mothers in Ireland feel about returning to work

The survey from Network Ireland reveals the extent of how overwhelmed working mothers are 

Almost half of all women in Ireland consider quitting their jobs over the cost of childcare.

According to a new survey by Network Ireland, a group supporting the professional and personal development of women, 49.3 per cent of women have said that the financial strain of returning to work after having a baby has made them consider quitting their job.

The survey was commissioned ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, and questioned almost 500 women across the country last month.

The findings

A huge majority of women (87 per cent) reported feeling ‘overwhelmed’ by the pressures of modern life, with over a quarter (27%) feeling overwhelmed every day.

Over three-quarters of women (77.5 per cent) deal with work-related emails and calls outside of working hours. Some 60 per cent reported delaying addressing their own health needs because of the financial cost.

The survey also found that almost half of the women questioned (47 per cent) reported feeling discriminated against in the workplace because of their gender.

Louisa Meehan, president of Network Ireland, said that: “[the survey suggests] the modern work-life, the modern life of juggling work home is directly impacting on the well-being of women and families within our society.”

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