Bored of the blame game

Its not often working mothers are lumped into the same category as leaves, ice, snow and all the other things that, from time to time, prove to be impediments to the operational efficiency of public, tax-payer funded services. But today we find ourselves out there, all cold and wet, in a winter of discontent. Yes, the comments by a Conservative MP that female doctors who have children and return to the workforce on a part-time basis are putting an unwelcome strain on our National Health Service, seem incredible. Procreation is the most basic fact of life, and it is entirely natural that female doctors, as in any other career, should start their own families. Returning to work after having a child is immensely challenging in any career, but particularly so where the hours are long and the work demanding. Would Anna Soubry rather talented women doctors left the workforce at this stage? Some may, certainly, because they feel it’s the right decision to stay home, and make a proactive choice. But if part-time working weren’t an option, how many more would feel they have no choice but to quit, because returning on a full time basis can be incompatible, for some, with new motherhood? No, we need flexible working to enable women who want to work to do so – the Women’s Business Council highlighted earlier this week the potential benefits to the economy as a whole of a more concerted effort to promote flexibility, and organisations – public and private – now need to step up to the plate urgently.