getting women back to work

[Susan Mac]

I don't know if I'm posting this in the right spot, but I had a thought the other day...

There seems to be a lot of emphasis on making it easy for women to return to work after having a baby - childcare subsidies, paid maternity leave.

I know that some women have no choice but to return to work for financial reasons, but I also know that a lot of women have to go back to work soon after their baby is born because if they don't, some years down the track no-one will employ them.

Would it be better to make it easier for women to return to work once their children are at school - subsidies for extra training and maybe bonuses for employers who take on mum's returning to the workforce after an extended hiatus?

Haven't thought through how it would fit with families who legitimately need two incomes. Will have a think. :detective:

[Ana Gram]

I think training would be a better step. I don't have any formal training in anything and I will find it difficult to get a job once DD is at school full time.

[missie_mack]

I think I read somewhere (and correct me if I am wrong) that one of the labor policies were to make work flexible until your child returns to school ie you can go back to work on a part time basis until your child starts school and then return to the full time position you held prior to the birth. I know this was implemented in NSW and I think really that is brilliant. It gives parents the option to be at home sometimes and make alternate arrangements on the days they work without losing their job security or having to settle for part time work.

Incidently, not everyone who works has to or does it out of fear of being unemployable later on. Some people go back to work because they want to and simply choose to.

[forbetoel]

I think training once kids are at school would be a better step, and more help to actually keep mums at home for the 1st five years. I would like to see the importance of a child being at home with one of its parents while they are so young, take a front seat.

[SassyMummy]

I would be nice to offer women a "refresher course" or even training specifically for mothers who haven't worked in quite some time.

I don't know how I will go returning to work once DD is in school... I'm very much relying on my age to help get me through, but there's no guarantees that just because I'm young that I'll get anywhere.

[missie_mack]

I think this (http://www.tafensw.edu.au/news/wow_factor.htm) may be the type of course you are looking for :) From memory if you are on centrelink benefits they waive your TAFE fees in some states and there use to be increased benefits to help with the cost of going to TAFE. Some TAFE's also have brilliant childcare options (if its what you are looking for) on campus.

[Odessa]

Women need to have the choice, not have politicians tell them what is best for their children/family. 4b2l I know what you are saying, but some families simply don't work that way, and some just cannot work that way. You cannot legislate personal choice effectively.

[forbetoel]

Women need to have the choice, not have politicians tell them what is best for their children/family. 4b2l I know what you are saying, but some families simply don't work that way, and some just cannot work that way. You cannot legislate personal choice effectively.

Yes I do realise that, but it would be great if the importance was placed once again with being at home for our little ones, and so there fore I would rather see a financial helping hand to help women raise their own kids, not to help put them in childcare. This is nothing against working mums, but when you have kids, you know the cost, you know that if you need to use childcare that it will be expensive, you need to weigh up if it is an option for your family....I just don't think that the government should have to pay for babysitting.

[Odessa]

Childcare assistance is in place to encourage workforce participation - all important to make that unemployment statistic look even better! Sarcasm aside, increased workforce participation isn't a bad thing in my opinion. Also, many families cannot survive on one income - government assistance with constantly increasing child care costs allows both parents to work and bring home enough money to provide for their families. But you know this already - I see what you are saying about wanting to be a stay at home parent, but that is not the only option everybody wants or needs in modern society.

[forbetoel]

- I see what you are saying about wanting to be a stay at home parent, but that is not the only option everybody wants or needs in modern society.

How sad that my veiws are no longer seen as modern.:(
I am not at home because I can afford to, I just go without certain things for my kids. My posts are not meant to be anti work, not at all, just pro-sahm, they are undervalued, and yet are actually doing the most valuable thing for our society, while taking on a very large chunk of all volunteer work in our communities.:)

[~Bec~]

I think any government should be promoting and facilitating choice. If you want to be a sahm/d, great! If you want or need to go back to work, great! In my situation I need to go back to work full time in a few months so we don't become insolvent. It's not as though we can just 'cut back' as our mortgage alone takes about 65% of my DF's income. We couldn't wait until we were more financially secure either as I have just turned 37. Access to quality childcare allows parents to choose.

[Leeny]

I deffinately think there needs to be more help for people to stay at home with thier children, and then more help to return to the work force after the children are in school.

I dont think theres near enough help for women to be mums to thier children, then be able to get a job, in school hours. I know that when children are school age, centerlink requires women to look for work, but what they fail to take into consideration is how few employers are willing to take women who havent been in the workforce for 5+ years and only want to work a 9-2:30 job so that they can drop off and pick thier kids up from school.

In some ways, im so lucky. I hate living with my parents most of the time, but it gives me the choice and freedom of knowing I can stay with my daughter everyday, and not rely on having to find a job. I'll always have a roof over my head, and im grateful for that.

Its deffinately not meant as an offensive thing to say, but I really feel so bad for little kids who are in daycare from the time they are 6 weeks old, until they are in school. I know some people have to do it to survive, thats a different issue, but people who have a choice, and still dont want to spend time with thier children are going to feel very guilty when thier kids are grown and leaving home, and resent that thier parents wern't there for them as kids.

[Ashleigh<3]

I really like the idea of Stacey's 'refresher course'.

It seems call centers will hire anyone.
Most call centers have room for advancement.
I think the IT industry can be a real royal pain in the buttocks but it can really help out someone with no experience and it usually pays really well in accordance with experience, sometimes better.
I think the IT industry is a great stepping stone for a lot of people looking to gain experience but I come from a family that is made up of IT nerds so It's just what I'm used to. Some people may have a very different outlook.

[Susan Mac]

I think training once kids are at school would be a better step, and more help to actually keep mums at home for the 1st five years. I would like to see the importance of a child being at home with one of its parents while they are so young, take a front seat.


Yes I do realise that, but it would be great if the importance was placed once again with being at home for our little ones, and so there fore I would rather see a financial helping hand to help women raise their own kids, not to help put them in childcare. This is nothing against working mums, but when you have kids, you know the cost, you know that if you need to use childcare that it will be expensive, you need to weigh up if it is an option for your family....I just don't think that the government should have to pay for babysitting.


How sad that my veiws are no longer seen as modern.:(
I am not at home because I can afford to, I just go without certain things for my kids. My posts are not meant to be anti work, not at all, just pro-sahm, they are undervalued, and yet are actually doing the most valuable thing for our society, while taking on a very large chunk of all volunteer work in our communities.:)



Can't agree with you more! :thumbsup:

[forbetoel]

Can't agree with you more! :thumbsup:

Thankyou, that is nice to hear. :)