Recent research has revealed that the majority of women working in IT are dissatisfied with their work/life balance and that although employers say they support flexible working, the reality is often quite different.

The research, carried out at the “Working Smarter, Not Harder”, networking event recently hosted by womenintechnology.co.uk and Microsoft, showed that although over half (55 per cent) felt that they did have a work/life balance, almost all added an ‘although’ or a ‘but’ to their answer.

“It’s a tough juggling act,” says one respondent. “I have struggled with it throughout my career. It’s definitely something you have to make happen rather than expect other people to provide.”

Other respondents commented on how much work/life balance can differ from job to job. “I fear every time I change jobs about whether the company is going to put work/life balance on their agenda,” says one woman.

77 per cent said that their current organisation does support flexible working, but many added that this was very limited and that although flexible working was supported in theory, the reality is that it is not practiced. Others commented that flexible working hours are frowned upon by colleagues and that managers’ discretion is an important factor.

“The number of women working in IT is dwindling and work/life balance is often cited as a key reason for this,” Maggie Berry, director of womenintechnology.co.uk explains. “Hopefully the event taught the women present how they can work ‘smarter, not harder’ and find a way of achieving that work/life balance that we all strive for.”

Image: Women working in IT are dissatisfied with their work/life balance

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