Between sandpit and EU-Parliament — How to Continue Your Career Even Part-Time
To be a mom and have a fulfilling job — that’s what I’ve always wanted. It was clear to me long before my daughter was born that I wanted to return to work after my parental leave. However, my optimistic assumption that I would be able to find a suitable daycare spot for my daughter was quickly overtaken by reality. Returning to work full-time was therefore no longer an option for my family.
Unfortunately, women who return to work part-time after parental leave are often ridiculed or have to justify their decision: “I’m sure you can’t make a career this way!” or “How nice that you’re earning a little extra money” are phrases that mothers hear not only from their immediate environment but certainly also from some employers.
In my case, it was clear that I would be returning to the company on a part-time basis, and the idea that I would soon be immersed in political debates and legislative texts with my colleagues again filled me with anticipation.
There are many reasons why parents, and especially mothers, return to work part-time, and it is not always voluntary. According to media reports, there is a shortage of more than 350,000 daycare places in Germany this year, even though there has been a legal entitlement to childcare for almost 10 years now, including in the “children under 3” age group. Many parents have to organize care themselves — lucky if grandparents live nearby and can help out — but not everyone has this privilege. To meet parents’ childcare needs in 2023 and provide all groups with a child-friendly staffing ratio, an additional 308,800 professionals would have had to be hired, according to the Ländermonitor. This would cost around 13.8 billion euros a year.
In addition to a lack of full-time childcare places, the extensive care work that being a parent entails is another reason for returning to work with reduced hours. But returning to work part-time doesn’t have to mean a career end. On the contrary, even part-time employees can take on responsible tasks and pursue their career goals, provided their employers make this possible. Young mothers and fathers often bring new qualities and perspectives that enrich the company and demonstrate high productivity and effectiveness, especially when working part-time.
My return to work has shown me that a balance between career and family life is entirely possible. The prerequisite is that employers not only think through flexible working time models in theory but put them into practice. Parents who return to work part-time should be treated as equal employees, entrusted with projects as before, given responsibility and opportunities for further development. There is no question that it requires forward-looking planning, close agreements, and motivation, but then it can be an appreciative and enriching collaboration for both sides. For my family and me, the current model is the right one. It feels good to be back at work and, at the same time, to be able to fulfill my role as a mom. The certainty that I can continue to pursue my professional life alongside my family life gives me confidence.
I can advise employees who are thinking about returning to work part-time to communicate openly with employers. And to employers who only accept part-time requests with a roll of the eyes and who may no longer regard a woman as a full employee to be taken seriously once she has become a mother, I can only say: You’re missing out.
Marie Walters has been part of the Erste Lesung Team since January 2021. She returned from parental leave in September 2023.
