Wed, 5 Jun 2013The HR director of banking group Santander UK says that the loss of talent because working mothers do not get enough support from employers “is one of the biggest challenges that need to be overcome if the UK is to compete in an increasingly competitive global marketplace”.

Simon Lloyd was speaking as a Santander study of over 2,000 women shows that 67% of those returning to work after starting a family said it had affected their career progression.

However, the majority (74%) had not needed to switch careers after having children in order to better suit family life. Nonetheless, one quarter had moved to a role that was less professionally rewarding, but was better for their family.

Overall, 56% of working mums said firms should guarantee returning women the same role as they had before pregnancy, but on a more flexible or part-time basis.

• Click for more on a scheme whereby blue chip firms have co-operated to improve the prospects for professionals in ‘dual career relationships'.