An overwhelming majority of working mothers report that, if there were no obstacles, they would continue working, and most say that their work/life balance is always right or is right most of the time, according to the results of new Accenture research.


In an online survey of more than 700 working mothers in mid- to senior-level management positions, nearly 90 percent of the respondents reported that, if there were no obstacles, they would work either full-time, part-time or under a flex-time arrangement (reported by 31 percent, 26 percent and 33 percent of respondents, respectively). Just 11 percent said they would not work at all.

Additionally, almost three-quarters (74 percent) say that their work/life balance is always right or is right most of the time, and nearly seven in 10 respondents (69 percent) believe that women can “have it all.”

“Leading employers are offering innovative programs that help their employees balance their work and family commitments,” said Jill Smart, Accenture’s chief human resources officer. “These companies understand that to meet the needs and realities of today’s workforce, they must offer employees choices across the lifecycle of their careers, providing new solutions at different points in employees’ lives.”

According to respondents, flex-time, part-time and a modified work week are the three most commonly offered flexibility programs (cited by 61 percent, 51 percent and 44 percent of respondents, respectively). But, while 37 percent say their companies offer telecommuting as a work option, that program (at 50 percent) tops the wish list of respondents to whom it’s not offered.

Other programs that respondents want but that are not offered by their employers include flex-time, employer-provided alternative day care and a modified work week (cited by 47 percent, 44 percent and 40 percent of respondents, respectively). Just 17 percent report that their employers do not offer any flex programs.

The survey also found that:

* The great majority (85 percent) of respondents say their employers are understanding of their child-care issues. Nonetheless, working mothers missed work an average of three times over the past year because of child-care issues

* The most popular option for back-up child care is a spouse or significant other (cited by 65 percent). This was followed by relatives, friends/neighbors and alternative day care (cited by 58 percent, 32 percent and 14 percent of respondents, respectively)

* Just slightly more than half (54 percent) of working mothers take advantage of flex programs as often as they need to

In a related announcement, Working Mother magazine named Accenture a 2007 Working Mother Best Company for Working Mothers. According to Carol Evans, CEO and president, Working Mother Media, “Accenture not only offers essential benefits like flextime and telecommuting—they go above and beyond with a range of best practices and policies to ease the difficulties for working parents and their families. Their supportive culture makes a huge difference to employees who want to be great moms and great workers.”