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Story URL: http://management.silicon.com/careers/0,39024671,39190810,00.htm

Flexibility the key for women in IT
But is it more a theory than reality?

By Tim Ferguson

Published: Friday 18 April 2008

Flexible working seems to be more dream than reality for women working in IT who claim a lack of realistic options is harming their work/life balance.

Research by womenintechnology.co.uk - quizzing 200 women - found 55 per cent said they were satisfied with their work/life balance but nearly all added an 'although' or 'but ' to their answer.

Around three-quarters (77 per cent) of women questioned said even though their current employer supports flexible working it was very limited and often more a theory than reality.

Maggie Berry, director of the networking group, said a poor work/life balance is often cited as a key reason for a dwindling number of women in tech.

One woman questioned in the research said having a good balance of work and personal life is something you have to make happen yourself. "It's a tough juggling act," she said.

Another said they fear changing jobs will mean their work/life balance might be less on the agenda.

Others added that colleagues often frown on flexible working and that the discretion of managers is important in making flexible working a reality.