93% of stay-at-home moms face challenges when returning to the workforce

TEXAS, UNITED STATES — Employment website Indeed says 93% of stay-at-home moms (SAHM) faced or expected to encounter difficulties when reentering the workforce. 

In a survey released in honor of Mother’s Day, Indeed revealed that many women feel their experience and skills acquired as a SAHM are not valued as highly as those gained in traditional work environments. 

Over half of the respondents felt that their time spent as a SAHM was viewed as a resume gap by potential employers and undervalued as work experience. Flexible job positions that could accommodate caregiving responsibilities were also hard to find, which added to their difficulties securing employment. 

The study also found that 73% of women re-entering the workforce reported encountering biases in the hiring process due to their status as stay-at-home parents. 

“The data suggests that employers are failing to recognize the value and transferability of the skills women develop during time spent as a SAHM,” Indeed stated. 

The employment platform added that the “perceived under-appreciation” of the possible contributions of SAHMs in the workplace could affect their motivation to return to work.