Is staying home with kids career suicide?
Leslie Bennetts: Two-thirds of women who opt out of the workforce want to return later on–but most are unprepared for the barriers they will face, including ageism, sexism, discrimination against mothers, and a strong bias against returning workers. The majority will not find full-time jobs, and many will be unable to reenter the workforce at all. Vivian Steir Rabin: Returning to work after an absence isn’t easy–but the climate for “relaunchers” has changed dramatically. Employers realize they have to get this “woman issue” right, which means allowing women (and men) to work flexibly and take extended leaves if that’s what they want. Bennetts: I would love to believe that you’re right–but that doesn’t accord with my findings. Many bosses, male and female, are exasperated with women who take time out and are hostile to the idea of hiring them. Frankly, I think upbeat representations like yours are part of the problem because they mislead women about the realities of the workplace. Ra
