Why are there no part time roles and how can we change that?
Why are there no senior part-time roles?
What started as a reel with recent guest Emma McLean exploded online with hundreds of comments from working parents sharing frustrations, missed opportunities, and moments of hope about part time roles.
What really struck me was how much emotion and old-school thinking remains towards part time work. For so many working mums, the lack of senior part-time roles isn’t just about jobs. It’s about identity, family, equality, and opportunity.
The main barrier to part time and flexible work isn’t logistics or the law. It’s cultural. Too many workplaces still equate hours with commitment, and presenteeism with performance.
But the stories, the data, and the law all show it can work.
In this episode, we dive deep into:
The barriers and cultural beliefs holding back part-time senior roles
Real stories of mums (and dads) facing career penalties for choosing part-time work
Where flexible and part-time work is working well, from job shares to international examples
What Australian law (Fair Work Act) actually says about part-time work and flexible arrangements
The broader impact: missed talent, superannuation gaps, the mental load, and systemic inequality
How businesses can rethink leadership, flexibility, and the future of work to support all working parents
This episode is a must-listen for working mums who want both a career and family life, and for leaders who want to unlock talent, improve retention, and create more inclusive workplaces.
Resources & Related Episodes:
Prof. Leah Ruppanner on the mental load
Deline Jacovides on childcare affordability & superannuation
Natasha Janssens on money & confidence
Elise Slavin & Laura Stewart on redefining career success after kids
Episode with Emma McLean
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter
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34:30
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34:30
The Transition Back to Work After Parental Leave: Tips, Truths & Self-Compassion
Returning to work after maternity leave isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a transition that unfolds over many months. In this episode of the Working Mumma Podcast, I share my tips and experiences of navigating the messy, emotional, and transformative season of going back to work after parental leave.
You’ll hear about:
Why treating your return as a transition, not a snap back, changes everything
How to set clear boundaries at work and at home (and stick to them)
Why “good enough” parenting and working is more than enough
The importance of letting go of guilt and perfectionism
Practical strategies to make help work possible again, from email signatures to blocking your calendar
Why identity shifts are normal, and how to hold onto your identity in the juggle as working mum
If you’re a mum preparing to return to work after maternity leave or already in the first year back, this episode is filled with practical tips and encouragement to help you navigate the challenges and embrace this new season with confidence.
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter
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19:52
The Sandwich Generation: Juggling Kids, Aging Parents & Yourself with Casey Beros
What happens when you’re caring for small children and aging parents at the same time? This is the reality for millions of women, now called the “sandwich generation.”
In this heartfelt episode of the Working Mumma podcast, Carina O’Brien speaks with author, health journalist, and carer Casey Beros about the emotional, physical, and financial toll of caregiving, and the unexpected personal growth that can come with it.
Casey opens up about her journey caring for her dad while raising two young children, the lessons she learned about navigating the healthcare system, and how to advocate for those you love. She shares the honest truth about burnout, guilt, grief, and why self-care often feels impossible, but is vital.
Whether you’re already in the thick of caregiving or want to prepare for the road ahead, this episode will leave you with practical strategies and heartfelt wisdom.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
What it really means to be part of the “sandwich generation”
The two essential skills for caregiving: advocacy & system navigation
How to juggle emotional, physical, and financial pressures of care
Ways to look after yourself when you feel there’s nothing left to give
How to support friends and family going through the caring role
Why preparation before a crisis is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself
Connect with Casey
Instagram @caseyberos
Check out her new book 'Next of Kind' nextofkinbook
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter
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1:10:45
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1:10:45
The Motherhood Penalty and The Impact on your Career with Emma McLean
Motherhood changes everything - our identity, our priorities, our bodies, and our careers. But for too many women, it also brings a cost they never signed up for: the motherhood penalty.
In this powerful episode, I sit down with Emma McLean, executive coach, speaker, and founder of Works for Everyone to talk about the Motherhood Penalty, the price women pay and actions we can take today to change it.
We dive into:
What the motherhood penalty really is – and why it costs women up to 55% of their earnings
Why flexible work is sometimes a trap rather than a solution
How school holidays reveal the hidden gender divide in caregiving
The confidence and overwhelm crisis so many working mums silently battle
Why dads need to step up at home if women are to step up at work
The simple strategies you can use to reclaim your inner compass and shift the load
Whether you’re returning to work, managing the juggle, or just tired of the system keeping mothers stuck, this conversation will inspire you to think differently and take action.
Connect with Emma:
Instagram: @worksforeveryone
LinkedIn: Emma McLean
Podcast: How to Smash the Motherhood Penalty
Connect with Carina and Working Mumma
Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
LinkedIn: Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
Sign up to the Working Mumma newsletter
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56:44
How proximity of care for your child can support your return to work after maternity leave with Lauren from BubbaDesk
Returning to work after having a baby can be one of the most emotional and challenging transitions in a parent’s life. Then finding the right care can be a daunting task.
In this week's episode I chat with Lauren Parrot, the founder of BubbaDesk and mum of two, about her personal journey from postpartum anxiety to creating a new childcare solution for modern parents.
Lauren shares her insights into why proximity care is becoming increasingly important for many parents, how the current childcare system is failing to meet the needs of working families, and the benefits this model brings for both parents and employers. We also discuss the challenges facing parents in 2025, the future of childcare innovation, and the role policy makers and businesses can play in supporting working mums and dads.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What proximity childcare is and why it matters
Lauren’s personal postpartum and return-to-work experience that sparked BubbaDesk
The gaps in Australia’s childcare system and why it needs urgent innovation
How BubbaDesk is partnering with employers to support working parents
The mental health benefits of being close to your baby during work hours
MORE LINKS
Connect with Lauren on Instagram @bubbadesk or website bubbadesk.com
Follow Working Mumma on Instagram @workingmummacommunity and the website www.workingmumma.com.au or connect with Carina on LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/carina-obrien/
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If you loved this episode, please take a moment ot subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us reach more working mums who need this resource to help them navigate the juggle of career and motherhood. Thanks for tuning in and see you next week.
Working Mumma is the go-to podcast for women navigating the juggle of motherhood and career, especially during the return-to-work period after maternity leave. Whether you’re preparing to head back to work, already in the thick of the transition, or in the first few years of rediscovering your professional self, this podcast is your toolkit for clarity, confidence, and connection.Hosted by Carina O’Brien, mum of 2 boys, businesswoman, and founder of Working Mumma, each episode delivers relatable stories, expert interviews, and practical strategies to help you. You will hear from experts, leaders, and women like you who are juggling career and motherhood. You’re not alone in this. Tune in weekly to feel supported, empowered, and reminded that you’re doing a great job.
Ireland