Mothers who are looking to re-enter the workplace or who are already there ought to be given the flexible working options that could make their life easier, it has been suggested.

Writing online for the Australian news provider the Age, Leon Gettler highlights the difficulties working mothers can face and insists that employers should offer women the help they need under these circumstances.

Flexible working practices, such as allowing employees to operate from home, could give mothers a better chance of balancing their lives and businesses should be looking to make the most of all their staff given the skills shortage in Australia, according to Mr Gettler.

He commented: "With the skills shortage, there are reports that the big investment banks, accounting firms and management consultancies are now trying to recruit women who have left the workforce, usually to have kids.

"Whether that will continue and grow…remains to be seen and the big question is whether companies are prepared to meet mothers half-way with flexible work arrangements."

The Work Wise UK initiative in the UK aims to promote the idea that even working form home one day per week can lead to considerable benefits in terms of establishing a better work-life balance.