Working mothers’ transition back to work

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings A study explored the psychological challenges faced by working mothers as they return to employment following maternity leave, focusing on the cultural context of Japan. The main result was that the participants – 100 working mothers on maternity leave – increased their work-family balance self-efficacy after training, which contributed to better performance after returning to work. In addition, follow-up evaluations five years revealed that the benefits were long-lasting, often aiding career progression and encouraging women to take on leadership positions. Originality/value Originality: The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.