More than a third (36 per cent) of Canadian working mothers say they’d accept a salary reduction in exchange for a fully remote working arrangement, compared to 29 per cent of working fathers, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada.
The survey, which polled more than 1,100 employees, found more than half (57 per cent) of working moms said they plan to or are already looking for a new job in the first half of 2023. Among working moms seeking a new job, the majority (82 per cent) said they’re specifically interested in hybrid or fully remote positions, while a quarter (26 per cent) cited increased flexibility as their reason for pursuing a new role.
Read: Majority of Canadian working moms struggling with work-life balance: survey
In a separate Robert Half survey of more than 500 workers, respondents cited remote working (68 per cent) as the No. 1 perk or benefit for working parents, followed by flexible schedules (26 per cent), paid parental leave (four per cent) and additional family planning benefits (two per cent).
“It’s clear that flexibility is of paramount priority for working moms and offering this is a major way companies can support mothers in their workforce, as it allows them to balance their professional responsibilities with their parenting commitments in a meaningful way,” said Sandra Lavoy, regional director at Robert Half, in a press release.
“Beyond that, other perks and benefits like family planning benefits and company-provided parental leave pay can help support, attract and retain working mothers and parents.”
Read: 47% of working moms experiencing burnout balancing work, childcare: survey