IB Woman
Issue No. 44 - December/January 2008
Online Lifeline
by Penelope Herbert
Concluding that “any mum is a working mum”, Pia Vogrin’s aim was to create an online resource to assist working women throughout their career life cycle.
She says all working mums come from a different reference point, be it education, career, childcare support or financial position, but they all have one thing in common; trying to achieve the elusive work life balance.
With three children under the age of five, Pia was acutely aware of a lack of services and support specifically for mothers seeking to work, re-enter the work force or retrain. Thus, womums.com.au was born.
“I wanted to create a single resource for women who have limited time which covered work-life balance issues online, that I knew from my own experiences would really be useful,” Pia explains.
“The Womums site aims to connect potential candidates with recruiters and employers who recognise the benefit and skills this sector of the workforce has to offer.
“I’m creating a space where progressive employers can find employees who seek flexibility and an understanding of work-life balance issues.”
Pia suggests the internet is a social and economic device for our time which should fully be utilised. She suggests the lifecycle of a working mum varies and it is easy to consider only working women with younger children in a career-focused stereotype.
“The online community for womums.com.au allows for inclusion of all working mums who may have been out of the work force for up to 15 years or more,” says Pia.
“The aim is to assist women consider the broader, long-term implications of work-life balance and provide the confidence, inspiration, networks and empowerment for working mums and their families.
“Women need to have a plan for their personal, professional, social and economic development which becomes particularly pertinent during motherhood.”
Connecting with today’s workforce is the site’s main objective. E...
