Sir, – I read with interest the recent article “Work is broken and it is well past time to fix it for Ireland’s working parents” by Margaret E Ward (May 14th).
Where did it all go wrong? We’ve never been richer so why do I look misty-eyed back to 1980s Ireland when my parents managed to house, feed and educate four kids on one income.
Flexible hybrid working was the one good thing to come from Covid for us, burnt-out working parents. It’s a win-win. Cost-free productivity increases for the boss, work-life balance and wellbeing for employees. Is it any wonder the countries quoted in your article that have embedded flexible working policies are also in the top 10 happiest countries in the world?
There are plenty of statistics to tell us what we already know ... mothers are running the show. If we are to carry on being the multitasking machines we are – holding down jobs while raising the next generation and looking after the last – we need flexibility.
RM Block
With an ageing population and declining birth rates, we’re going to have to do something to support mothers anyway, so we’d best get started.
Flexible hybrid working is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Not just for us mothers but for our country.
From a burnt-out working mammy. – Yours, etc,
ROISIN KEAVENEY,
Swords,
Co Dublin.
