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Returning to IT: Employment and Development after a Career Break in the United Kingdom

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

Published
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>2006
<mark>Journal</mark>Labour & Industry
Issue number3
Volume16
Number of pages18
Pages (from-to)133-150
Publication StatusPublished
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

The paper examines the career experiences of women in the United Kingdom who seek re-entry to information technology employment following a career break. Using empirical data from qualitative interviews, the study finds evidence of barriers and limited opportunities. The study shows that women returners are not a homogeneous group and that the length of their career break appears to play a key role in the re-entry process: the longer the break, the greater the impact on career choices. Linked to this, the study shows that women seeking re-entry face a lack of support mechanisms such as flexi-time schemes and part-time work, and receive insufficient training. A case study of an exemplary organisation shows that information technology companies could introduce employment schemes to support women's re-entry and thus their retention in fast-changing information technology occupations, although the pressures of client-based work is seen as a barrier. Implications for policy makers, employers and industry associations are discussed.

Bibliographic note

Publisher Copyright: © 2006, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.