10 Percent Fewer Canadian Companies Plan to Hire Working Mothers in 2011

DALLAS, January 11, 2011 - In a worrying development for equal employment opportunities across the
globe, new research commissioned by flexible workspace solutions provider
Regus (www.regus.com/) reveals that only 31 percent of Canadian firms
declare they plan to hire more working mothers as compared to 41 percent a
year ago. Globally, 36 percent of companies plan to hire working mothers in
2011.

The study, which surveyed the opinions of business owners when it comes
to working mothers, revealed residual concerns amongst employers. Business
owners surveyed responded that they felt working mothers may:

    - Show less commitment and flexibility than other employees -
      37 percent
    - Leave shortly after training to have another child - 33 percent
    - Have out-dated skills - 24 percent

In Canada, employers were particularly concerned about a working mother's
flexibility (38 percent), but much less worried about out-of-date skills (16
percent).

Wes Lenci, Regus regional vice president for Canada comments, "Although
in Canada women's employment is reported to have fared better during the
downturn, working mothers still find it harder to find a job than single
women.[1] However, as hiring and retention become bigger focuses in 2011,
savvy business owners will find that they are able to attract top talent and
provide a more family friendly and productive work environment simply by
allowing employees to work flexible hours or from remote offices closer to
home. These types of benefits improve morale and productivity across the
board, cultivating a stronger, more motivated workforce."

Methodology

Over 10,000 business respondents from the Regus global contacts database
were interviewed during August and September 2010. The Regus global contacts
database of over 1 million business-people worldwide is highly representative
of senior managers and owners in businesses across the globe. Respondents
were asked about their intentions to hire working mothers and about their
role in the workplace. The research was managed and administered by the
independent organization, MarketingUK.

About Regus

Regus, the world's leading global provider of innovative workplace
solutions with 1,100 locations in 500 cities and 85 countries, offers
products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional
meeting rooms, business lounges and the world's largest network of video
communication studios.

[1]
www.thestar.com/article/904778–why-women-fared-better-in-the-recession

(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste
this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the
space if one exists.)

For more information, visit www.regus.com.

To download a copy of the full report please visit
www.regus.presscentre.com

    Press contacts

    Julia Gaynor
    Affect Strategies
    +1(212)-398-9680
    jgaynor@affectstrategies.com

Press contacts: Julia Gaynor, Affect Strategies, +1-(212)-398-9680, jgaynor at affectstrategies.com