When asked about the timing for leaving or changing their job, nearly half of the respondents picked when their children entered elementary school. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Dec. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — More than 9 out of 10 so-called “working mothers” who work and raise kids at the same time have considered quitting their job.
According to an online survey conducted by KB Financial Group, of 2,000 women with children younger than high-school age, 95 percent of working mothers have considered quitting their job.
When asked about the timing for leaving or changing their job, nearly half of the respondents picked when their children entered elementary school.
The response rate was higher than that of “when I was about to give birth” or “when I sent my child to a daycare center.”
As a way to cope with the time when they were considering quitting work, 34.3 percent of working mothers said it was their parents’ help.
Some 20.1 percent cited the help of family members other than their parents, including brothers and sisters.
The working mothers’ will to work was strong. Of the respondents, 75.1 percent said they planned to continue working at their current workplace.
They perceived that the introduction of the 52-hour workweek had taken them a step closer to realizing a work and life balance.
Specifically, 31 percent said that the number of hours spent with family members increased, while 20.6 percent cited more time to have dinner with family members as a benefit of introduction of the 52-hour workweek.
Furthermore, 16.1 percent said overtime and extra work on holidays had decreased.
Nevertheless, the reality is still difficult. The average amount of free time a working mother spends for herself was only 1 hour and 51 minutes every day, which is about half of what full-time mothers spend.
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
