Female returners to the Maltese big-four audit firms : an analysis

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to ascertain the current perception regarding female returners to the Maltese big-four audit firms from the point of view of the employer and female returners, and also to assess the major factors which have induced current employees to return to work, and the obstacles that they face. Such research is also aimed to investigate possible reasons why they might not return to their former job in an audit firm. Design: The objectives of this study were achieved through eleven personal semi-structured interviews with one/two female returner(s) and an HR representative from each of the Maltese big-four audit firms. Findings: This study ascertains the deterioration of the current perception regarding female returners to such firms, both from the point of view of the employer and female returners, as more and more females are finding it necessary to work nowadays not just for financial reasons, but also for career development. Also, the present study establishes that the major factors inducing current employees to return to work are, for the most part, work flexibility, followed by family arrangements. Moreover, the greatest obstacles that female returners seem to be facing are achieving a good work-life balance and the allocation of work that needs to be accomplished in fewer hours. Conclusion: This study concludes that females should have the opportunity to return to work after taking a career break and should be able to work flexibly, to a certain extent, in order to be able to balance their work and personal lives. However, it was also concluded that with proper planning and the right approach during a career break, leaving the work place for a period of a few months or even years need not essentially mean the end of one's career in a Maltese big-four audit firm. Value: It is hoped that this study will encourage more females to return to work following their career break and to further educate children from a young age about equality between the sexes to attempt to change the perception that a woman's place is at home.