Work life balance challenging for scientists
March 21, 2012
Many jobs offer employees work schedules that help them achieve a good work-life balance, but there are certain fields that mothers tend to gravitate toward for this reason - teaching and nursing, in particular.
Finding a family-friendly job can be a challenge, especially in certain industries. Long hours, frequent business trips and an inconsistent schedule can make working difficult for moms in some jobs.
New research reveals that achieving a good work-life balance may be especially difficult for moms working in the science and technology fields.
The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) recently surveyed 4,225 publishing scientists and researchers worldwide to measure their feelings on how well the industry allows them to balance their personal and professional lives. Overall, the study found that dissatisfaction with career development opportunities and low salaries are causing both men and women to reconsider their profession.
Among some of the specific findings, two-thirds of the scientists surveyed said that they do not work for family friendly institutions. In addition, only half of the women (52 percent) reported that they are happy with their work-life integration, compared with 61 percent of men working in research across all fields. And, 54 percent of all of the scientists and researchers polled said that work demands conflict with their personal lives at least two to three times per week.
Many of the women surveyed said that their careers have caused them to delay life plans, too. Nearly 40 percent of women respondents said they have delayed having children because of their careers, while 27 percent of males indicated the same situation. A number of women mentioned waiting until they had a permanent position to get pregnant or noted that they could not afford to start a family on their wages.
"These findings confirm that work-life conflict is not gender-specific in the scientific community," said Janet Bandows Koster, AWIS executive director & CEO. "The real issue is that the academic workplace is still modeled on an ideal that no longer exists nor complements the realities of today's global workforce. If researchers who want a fulfilling home and work-life are being driven out of the industry through archaic working practices, it's time to address the system itself. Let's stop pointing the finger at women by putting a 'baby' band aid on the problem and solve the real issues."
While these findings may deter some from entering the science or technology fields, mothers are encouraged to discuss their employers' expectations of them before accepting a job in any industry.
Moms who want to change careers or re-enter the workforce for any reason can consider improving their job marketability by getting a college education. Those who want to offset the costs associated with going to school can apply for various grants for parents, scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships and other financial aid.
