Want a promotion? Start a family

The report's authors said having children typically makes a man 'redouble' his commitment to his job.

The report's authors said having children typically makes a man 'redouble' his commitment to his job.

Published Mar 26, 2014

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London - While many women fear having a family will slow down their career, it seems the opposite is true for fathers.

Men with children are more likely to be promoted than any other type of worker, including men and women who have not started a family, according to a report.

Women lag behind whether or not they have children, the research found.

The study by business psychologists YSC and accountants KPMG examined experience of more than 4 600 workers at companies including FTSE 100 corporate giants.

Of senior men with children, 74 percent had been given five or more promotions, compared to 65 percent who were childless.

The report’s authors said having children typically makes a man ‘redouble’ his commitment to his job, while motherhood is viewed as a career distraction for women.

But the report, published by the 30% Club which campaigns for more women in Britain’s boardrooms, said this is a myth because mothers are more likely to be promoted when they return to work. Of senior women with children, 57 percent have had five or more promotions, compared to 51 percent of childless women.

However Ingrid Waterfield, of KPMG, added: “The biggest difference is still whether you are a man or a woman.” Overall, 38 percent of men receive five or more promotions compared to 29 percent of women. - Daily Mail

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