In some countries, however, career breaks are not a major issue. Silvana Luyckx of the Witwatersrand University in South Africa knows of no special schemes for women returning from leave, but says that “in South Africa it is probably easier that it is abroad to find part-time employment”. Luyckx’s former head of department allowed her initially to work for three hours a day and then increased it to four hours, and so on. “Colleagues abroad have told me that this would have been very unusual in their countries,” she says.
It would certainly be unusual in Australia, according to Anna Binnie, one of the founders of the Women in Physics group of the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP). “Because the cost of living is so high in Australia, most women seem to juggle full-time work with young children in childcare,” says Binnie. Although this does not allow mothers much time with their children, it is one way to keep their career intact. Indeed, a survey carried out two years ago by the AIP found that while some female physicists had experienced some adversities during their employment, they were by and large as happy as their male colleagues.
Back in the UK, child-care facilities often lag behind those on offer abroad. Duffy at Reading says that while fellowships help women get back to work, problems remain once the fellowship has been completed. “The big problem of finding suitable employment in a convenient location with flexible working hours remains,” she says. Age, as well, is a problem, since some research fellowships are only available to applicants under the age of 40. In addition, those returning to work may find themselves at a disadvantage when competing for permanent research posts and lectureships, simply because their age pushes them further up the salary scale.
Dr Sharon Ann Holgatesharonannholgate.com