What Work Really Looks Like for Women in 2026

In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the fourth session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.In this empowering and practical conversation, career change specialist Kim Holland explores how women can design careers that give them more,  without leading to burnout.This session dives into career clarity, flexibility, ambition, burnout, career pivots and the realities of balancing work and life during different seasons of life and motherhood.What We Cover:Why the idea of “having it all” can lead to burnoutHow careers should flex during different life stagesWhat “professional DNA” means and why it mattersUnderstanding your values, motivators and strengthsWhat flexibility at work really looks likeHow to confidently negotiate flexible workingThe importance of understanding your career capacityPractical strategies for career pivots and career redesignHow to identify what is pushing or stopping you in your careerKey Takeaways:Careers are not a straight ladder — they shift throughout lifeFlexibility looks different for everyoneBurnout often comes from trying to do everything at full capacityUnderstanding your professional DNA helps create more aligned career decisionsWomen need permission to redefine success during different seasons of lifeNegotiating flexibility should feel collaborative, not confrontationalSmall shifts can create meaningful change over timeClarity often comes from action, not overthinkingWhy Listen:If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, unsure what you want next or struggling to balance ambition with life outside of work, this conversation will leave you feeling reassured, empowered and full of practical ideas to help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Kim on LinkedIn here Visit Kim’s website here Explore and download the full Women At Work Survey hereSupport the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the third session from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day. This honest and thought-provoking panel discussion explores the hidden emotional, professional and financial cost many women pay simply to stay in the workplace.Hosted by Women’s Wellbeing Coach and author Gifty Enright, alongside four incredible women sharing honest lived experiences.  This powerful conversation explores flexibility, burnout, visibility, career progression, caregiving, menopause, remote working and the hidden realities many women are still navigating behind the scenes.What We Cover:The invisible mental load women carry at work and at homeWhy flexibility can still come at a professional costThe hidden pressures women absorb to remain “high performing”How caregiving responsibilities reshape career decisionsWhy visibility and presenteeism still impact progressionThe emotional and financial cost of remote and flexible workWhy women over 50 are still being overlooked in the workplaceThe importance of allies, sponsorship and supportive leadershipKey Takeaways:Women are still quietly carrying enormous unseen pressureFlexibility should not reduce career opportunities or progressionOutput should matter more than presenteeismSupportive leadership and workplace culture make a huge differenceWomen often lower their “ask” — not their ambitionMany women stay in workplaces at a personal cost because they feel they have no alternativeOrganisations need to better recognise the realities women face across different life stagesWhy Listen: If you’ve ever struggled to balance work and life, worried flexibility could impact your progression, or questioned how well workplaces truly support women, this conversation will resonate deeply. Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Gifty on LinkedIn here Visit Gifty’s website here Explore and download the full Women At Work Survey here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the second panel discussion from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.This honest and thought-provoking conversation explores the future of women at work through the lens of flexibility, workplace culture, leadership, AI and changing employer expectations.Featuring leaders across talent, DE&I and business strategy, the panel discusses the realities women are still navigating in modern workplaces and what organisations need to do to better attract and retain talent.What We Cover:Why younger generations are becoming more sceptical of employersWhy flexibility is often the first thing to disappear in tougher marketsHow visibility still impacts women’s progressionThe hidden career risks of flexible workingWhy leadership behaviour matters more than policyHow AI could reshape jobs and career pathsWhether DE&I targets still matterKey Takeaways:Flexibility still relies heavily on trustWomen are still balancing visibility with caregiving responsibilitiesFlexible leadership is still not fully normalisedCulture is shaped by leadership every dayAI will reshape jobs, but human skills remain criticalInclusion only works when embedded into everyday business decisionsWhy Listen: If you’ve ever questioned whether flexibility really works in practice, worried about visibility while working flexibly, or wondered how AI will shape future careers, this conversation offers an honest and practical perspective on the realities women are navigating at work right now. Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereVisit ISC Group’s website here Visit Elsevier’s website here Visit Markel’s website here Visit Intact Insurance’s website here Explore and download the full Women At Work Survey here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this special episode of Work It Like a Mum, we’re sharing the opening panel from our Give to Gain Summit, hosted in support of International Women’s Day.This powerful session dives into the findings from our Women at Work Survey, alongside expert insights from Oxera and Working Families leaders across research, economics and people strategy.Together, we explore the gap between what workplaces say they offer… and what women actually experience. What We Cover:What the latest data is really telling us about women at workWhy flexibility still exists in theory, not always in practiceThe real barriers to career progression for womenHow workload, stress and lack of progression are impacting womenThe role of culture, leadership and line managers in shaping experienceWhy informal networks still influence who gets aheadThe reality of balancing work, family life and ambitionThe growing gap between workplace policy and lived experienceKey Takeaways:Women aren’t lacking ambition; they’re navigating systems that don’t fully support themFlexibility is no longer a “perk”, it’s essentialHybrid working improves outcomes, but needs structure to work wellCareer progression is still impacted by visibility, networks and outdated assumptionsMany women feel valued… but not developedWorkload and culture remain key drivers of stressOrganisations risk losing talent by not designing work around real livesReal change comes from leadership behaviour, not just policyWhy Listen:If you’ve ever felt like work should work better than it does, that flexibility exists but often comes with trade-offs, or that you’re doing a full-time job in part-time hours, this conversation will resonate. It’s honest, data-backed and focused on what actually needs to change to make work work for women.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereVisit Oxera’s website here Visit the Working Families website here Explore and download the full Women At Work Survey here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of Work It Like a Mum, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Natasha Doran, a former corporate professional turned franchise business owner with Get Ahead.After 20 years in insurance and a successful corporate career, Natasha shares what led her to step away, explore new paths, and ultimately build a flexible, part-time business that works around her family life.What We Cover: Leaving a “perfect on paper” corporate career  Navigating the uncertainty of a career change  Trying different paths (coaching, freelance) before finding the right fit  Why franchising offers the balance of flexibility + support  How Get Ahead supports businesses through outsourcing  The reality of starting something new (fear, planning, mindset)  Building a business around school hours and family life  What roles and skills are currently in demand (VA, marketing, business support)  The power of networking when starting from scratch  Why ambition can look different after children Key Takeaways: You don’t have to have it all figured out — trying different paths is part of the process  Flexibility and ambition can co-exist (it just might look different)  Franchising can be a powerful way to start a business with built-in support  Networking is key when building something new  Outsourcing is growing as businesses look for flexible, lower-risk support  Investing in yourself (coaching, learning, mindset) pays off  Career decisions don’t have to follow a traditional “ladder” Why Listen:If you’ve ever felt stuck in a role that looks great on paper but doesn’t feel quite right… this episode will resonate.It’s an honest conversation about stepping away from corporate, building something new, and creating a career that actually fits around your life.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Natasha on LinkedIn hereVisit the Get Ahead website here Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Gemma Jackson, Head of DE&I at Intact Insurance.They explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion, alongside a candid conversation about career progression, flexibility, and the reality of balancing work and family life.What We Cover:How DE&I is evolving — and why some organisations are rethinking how they approach itWhy inclusive businesses often perform better and make stronger decisionsThe real barriers women face in progressing their careersThe role of informal networking — and who it leaves outWhat flexibility actually looks like beyond part-time rolesBalancing a senior career, family life, and further studyKey Takeaways:Women are not lacking ambition — they’re balancing ambition with boundaries Diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and more innovationCareer progression is still influenced by informal networksFlexibility needs to be more creative and inclusiveYou don’t need to be “always on” to succeedPriorities shift over time — and that’s completely normalWhy Listen:If you’re navigating your career alongside family life, or questioning how work is really structured, this episode offers a refreshingly honest perspective on what needs to change, and how to make work work for you.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Gemma on LinkedIn hereVisit Intact Insurance’s website here  Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, the tables are turned as host Elizabeth Willetts is interviewed for the very first time.Joining her is her Utility Warehouse mentor, Sam Earnshaw, who dives into Elizabeth’s journey of becoming a partner with Utility Warehouse and how it’s impacted her career, finances, and family life.This honest conversation explores the reality behind building multiple income streams, navigating money mindset, and creating flexible work that truly fits around life after kids. What We Cover:Why Elizabeth initially said “no” — and what changedThe financial pressure that led to exploring a second incomeBalancing a growing business with family lifeThe reality of flexible work (and why it’s still so hard to find)Building a team, community, and sense of belongingHow network marketing compares to traditional business modelsThe shift from “extra income” to long-term wealth and legacyKey Takeaways:There’s often “more month than money” — even for successful foundersFlexible jobs are in huge demand, but limited in supplyA second income doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your main businessMoney mindset (especially guilt around earning) can hold women backCommunity and team culture can be just as valuable as incomeScalable income streams can reduce risk compared to hiring in a businessSmall income wins can quickly grow into something much biggerWhy Listen:If you want more flexibility, extra income, and work that fits around your life — this episode shows what’s possible, honestly and practically.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Sam on LinkedIn hereFind out more about becoming a UW partner here  Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we’re joined by returning guest Daniela Wainwright, Founder of Wainwright Consulting.Daniela has built a successful business as a bootstrapped founder and now leads a growing team of fractional finance directors. In this honest and practical conversation, she shares what it really takes to step away from corporate, build confidence, and create a business on your own terms. What We Cover:Daniela’s journey from corporate to founderThe reality of starting and growing a businessWhy confidence holds so many people backOvercoming fear, imposter syndrome and mindset blocksBuilding a personal brand and showing up (even when it feels uncomfortable)The rise of fractional working and flexible careersTools and strategies to strengthen mindset and resilienceKey Takeaways:Confidence grows through action, not before itFear is normal, but it shouldn’t stop you taking the next step You don’t need to follow the “traditional” path to build a successful businessMindset is a skill you can actively work on and improveSmall steps forward build momentum and beliefYou can design a career that fits your life, not the other way aroundWhy Listen:If you’re thinking about starting something new, taking the next step in your career, or simply feeling stuck, this episode is a powerful reminder that confidence doesn’t come first; action does.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Daniella on LinkedIn hereVisit Daniella’s website here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this week’s episode of the Work It Like a Mum podcast, we're joined by returning guest Amanda Henderson, Founder and Managing Director of Thread HR.Amanda first joined the podcast as a freelancer, then again as she made her first hire. Now, three years into building Thread HR, she shares what it really takes to scale a successful part-time team, build a strong flexible culture, and lead a business that works for both clients and employees.This episode is packed with honest insight for anyone considering self-employment, growing a business, or hiring part-time talent.What We Cover:Amanda’s journey from freelancer to founder of Thread HR Building and managing a successful part-time teamHow to create culture, clarity and trust in a flexible businessThe benefits of hiring part-time talent and thinking differently about workWhy some employers still resist flexibility, especially in hospitalityGrowing a business while navigating confidence, leadership and wellbeingKey Takeaways:⭐ Part-time hiring unlocks incredible talent most businesses overlook⭐ Strong culture isn’t about hours, it’s built on clarity, trust and values⭐ Hiring differently can give you a real competitive edge⭐ Your business can grow faster than your confidence, and that’s normal⭐ Boundaries and wellbeing are just as important as performance⭐ Hospitality has huge potential, but needs a mindset shift to attract talentWhy Listen:If you’re thinking about starting a business, hiring part-time talent, or building a more flexible team, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest lessons on what really works.Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Amanda on LinkedIn hereVisit the Thread HR website here  Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!

In this episode of the Work it Like a Mum Podcast, we’re sharing the eighth session from Smash 26, our two-day virtual event designed to help women start the year with confidence, clarity and momentum in their careers.Featuring Claire Wood, Career Pivot Coach and Founder of Lightning Bolt Coaching.Claire specialises in helping women, particularly mums, navigate career change with more clarity, confidence and alignment, creating careers that truly work for their lives.What We Cover:⭐ Turning career confusion into clarity and direction⭐ Identifying your values, strengths and non-negotiables⭐ The “Three Ps of Momentum” framework: Pause, Prioritise, Plan ⭐ Breaking big goals into small, achievable steps ⭐ Overcoming common blockers like confidence, time and fear ⭐ Creating a simple, realistic career plan for 2026This session is all about helping you stop overthinking… and start moving forward.Key Takeaways:⭐ You don’t need a full plan, you just need the right first step ⭐ Clarity comes from reflection, not rushing into action ⭐ Your values are your compass, your strengths are your power ⭐ Small, consistent actions build real momentum ⭐ Confidence grows through action, not before it ⭐ Reframing “I can’t” to “I can’t yet” can completely shift your mindset ⭐ Progress > perfection -  always Why Listen: If you’ve been feeling stuck in your career, overwhelmed by where to start, or inspired but unsure what to do next, this episode will help you bridge the gap between thinking and doing. Show Links:Connect with  Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn hereConnect with Claire on LinkedIn hereFind out more about Claire’s work here Boost your career with Investing in Women's Career Coaching! Get expert CV, interview, and LinkedIn guidance tailored for all career stages. Navigate transitions, discover strengths, and reach goals with our personalised approach. Book now for your dream job! Use 'workitlikeamum' for a 10% discount.Support the showSign up for our newsletter and never miss an episode!Follow us on Instagram.Join over 1 million customers and counting who are saving money on their household bills with Utility Warehouse. Discover how much you can save here. And here's your invite to our supportive and empowering Facebook Group, Work It Like a Mum - a supportive and safe networking community for professional working mothers. Our community is full of like-minded female professionals willing to offer support, advice or a friendly ear. See you there!