Effects of Employment Gaps on Satisfactions and Career Prospects of Managerial and Professional Women

Abstract

Describes a study which examined the relationship of employment gaps to measures of work outcomes and emotion wellbeing. Data were collected from a diverse sample of 792 managerial and professional women using questionnaires completed anonymously. Managerial women with more employment gaps were older, more likely married, had more children if married, earned less income and worked fewer hours and extra‐hours per week. Women with more employment gaps also reported less career satisfaction, less job involvement and less optimistic career prospects. Employment gaps were not, however, related to psychological wellbeing. Women reporting more employment gaps earned less income though having more work experience and similar educational qualifications and credentials.