Tech Talent Charter and MotherBoard Charter Unite to Address the Motherhood Penalty in the Tech Industry

Nearly 40% of women in the tech industry leave their jobs due to caring responsibilities, as stated by the research conducted by Tech Talent Charter.

The survey highlights that caring commitments are a significant factor influencing female tech professionals' decisions to exit the sector. To tackle this issue, Tech Talent Charter and MotherBoard Charter have launched a joint campaign focusing on maternity retention in the tech industry. This collaboration aims to address the challenges faced by working mothers and foster a more inclusive and gender-balanced environment in the tech sector. The research underscores that 40% of female tech professionals cite caring commitments as a decisive factor in leaving the industry. Work-life balance emerges as the most critical consideration, particularly for working parents managing careers alongside full-time caring responsibilities.

The partnership introduces the concept of the "motherhood penalty" to describe the challenges women face in balancing motherhood and tech careers. The damaging impact of this penalty is evident in the high attrition rate of women in tech, with 50% leaving by age 35, coinciding with childbearing years.

Women with flexible working arrangements exhibit significantly higher retention rates, emphasizing the need for accommodating work structures in the tech industry.

The joint initiative encourages businesses to adopt flexible working policies to support working mothers and enhance retention.

Despite being recognized for innovation, the tech industry struggles with retaining female talent, with one in four women leaving tech for other industries.

The campaign seeks to address the complexities of motherhood as a key step toward fostering diversity and gender balance in tech. Tech Talent Charter and MotherBoard Charter urge businesses to take ten key steps to address the motherhood penalty.

Recommendations include implementing flexible working arrangements, supporting women's career development, and creating an inclusive environment. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of supportive maternity leave policies that allow women to balance family and career growth simultaneously.

The campaign advocates for a comprehensive approach to maternal support, including time, space, and guidance. The initiative recognizes the vital role women play in the tech industry's future success, with a focus on returners who bring valuable skills and experiences.

A strong emphasis is placed on organizations promoting supportive return-to-work policies, offering training to ease the transition, and breaking down barriers related to maternity leave.

Industry professionals like Alex Ford, President, North America, for Encompass Corporation, and Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer of FDM Group, provide insights into the importance of addressing diversity issues, particularly those related to maternity policies.

The joint campaign by Tech Talent Charter and MotherBoard Charter represents a proactive effort to address the motherhood penalty in the tech industry. By focusing on maternity retention and advocating for flexible working arrangements, the initiative aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for working mothers in the tech sector. As the industry grapples with diversity challenges, this collaborative effort signals a commitment to fostering gender balance and ensuring that women can thrive in tech careers while balancing their caring responsibilities.