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

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.