New York Times writes about women returning to work

See the following newsflash from mommytrackd.com - the link provides a synopsis of and link to the New York Times recent article about the recession's impact on women who "opted out". http://www.mommytrackd.com/newsdesk_women_in_workforce_during_recession

My two cents: yes, more women are brushing off their resumes and engaging with the workforce, but I would like to see the statistics if any more of these women are getting jobs than the women who tried to re-enter the workforce a few years ago, after taking time off amounting to over 3 years. Silvia Ann Hewlett (economist, author and founder of the Center for Work-Life Policy) has extensive research that over 90% of highly qualified women want to come back to work (let alone the ones these days that need to), but only 74% actually land a position and only 40% feel satisfied with that match. Often, the ones who are offered positions take marked pay cuts or less challenging jobs in order to jump on the “opportunity” and merely re-establish a foothold. Rather than being viewed as a source of expertise, knowledge, skills and accomplishment, they often face having to rebuild their career from a different starting point than where it was when they left to have a family.

It would be beneficial to hire back many of these women, for the economy and for diversity of skillsets. It makes good business sense too. Putting aside the fact that there are better returns on investment when there are senior women represented in a firm, in the United States alone, women between the ages of 45-64 make up the largest demographic: close to 40 million people. These women – while still rearing children and probably responsible for the majority of elderly care – are an independent frame of reference, secure and confident, and seem poised to assert themselves, stand up for their needs and advocate for the person they want to become. Women in their 40s and 50s have the opportunity again to fulfill their professional aspirations and they can devote a great deal of energy to their employer. They can be fiercely loyal, especially in the face of recessionary lessons, and they are now wise from a new perspective of having left the workforce for a period and running a household - from projects to education, finances, procurement. We can multi-task better and we can be highly organized and uber-efficient.

I'd like to see more women returning to the workforce and getting the positions that complement their skillsets. I am still skeptical that this is really happening but hopeful that it will. It should!