Many women step away from their careers at some point in life. Reasons can include childbirth, caring for family members, or personal health needs. While taking a break may temporarily slow professional progress, research shows that with planning and support, women can return to work successfully and continue to build their careers.
In India, nearly 80% of working women report taking career breaks, with around half citing childcare or family responsibilities as the main reason. Globally, maternity leave, caregiving for relatives, or managing personal health are common reasons for stepping away from work.
Mental health plays a major role but is often overlooked. Many women balancing work, household responsibilities, and childcare experience stress, exhaustion, and burnout. In India, mental health challenges are frequently underrecognized, and women who express fatigue or emotional strain may not receive adequate support. This lack of understanding can lead women to pause their careers to recover and manage personal well-being.
Cultural and social expectations also influence career breaks. Women are often expected to prioritize family needs over their professional goals, which can result in longer or repeated breaks. Socioeconomic factors matter too; women in middle-class households may have the financial flexibility to take breaks, whereas women in labor-intensive jobs often continue working despite pressures.
Stepping away from work can create several challenges:
Skill Updates: Work skills and technologies change quickly, so breaks can lead to skill gaps.
Workplace Bias: Employers may view career gaps unfavorably, affecting hiring or promotion opportunities.
Financial Pressure: Extended breaks can reduce income and weaken professional networks.
Mental Health Considerations: Women who experience prolonged stress may need support when returning to work.
Studies show that millions of women leave the workforce due to family pressures, unequal pay, and lack of workplace support, a trend amplified during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite challenges, career breaks can provide meaningful advantages:
Personal Growth: Time away from work allows women to focus on self-development, explore new skills, or pursue education.
Better Work-Life Balance: Breaks provide a chance to reassess priorities and create alignment between personal and professional life.
Health Improvements: Reduced stress during a career pause can improve physical and mental well-being.
Research suggests that women returning to part-time or flexible work after a break may experience better health outcomes and lower mortality risk than those who stay out of the workforce entirely.
How to Make a Strong Comeback
Women can take several steps to ensure a successful return to work:
Skill Enhancement: Short courses, certifications, and training can update knowledge and skills.
Professional Networking: Reconnecting with colleagues and attending industry events can open opportunities.
Flexible Work Options: Part-time, remote, or hybrid arrangements can ease the transition.
Returnship Programs: Specialized programs help women rebuild confidence and reintegrate into full-time work.
Studies show that returnship programs improve confidence and help many women transition into permanent roles successfully.
On MedBound Hub, healthcare professionals discuss the real-life challenges women face when balancing work, family, and personal well-being. Many participants shared experiences of burnout due to excessive responsibilities and a lack of understanding from workplaces or society. Discussions emphasized the need for mentorship, mental health resources, and flexible work policies. Users highlighted that structured re-entry programs could help women regain professional confidence and reduce long-term career disruptions.
A career break is not a setback—it’s a powerful reset that can fuel a more meaningful comeback.Dr. Triveni, Pediatric Dentist
It’s incredible how these pauses often refine emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills, qualities that workplaces desperately need yet rarely measure. Maybe leaders can start by viewing career breaks as chapters of transformation rather than gaps in experience creating re-entry programs or mentorship spaces that value the depth women gain during those years.Nevethaa Nataraj, Pharm D
Most of us may be experiencing a similar issue, which can arise for various reasons. Nowadays, numerous changes have occurred in the corporate sector, with several companies offering opportunities to women returning to the workforce after a career break. However, such opportunities remain limited in the healthcare sector, as it often demands continuous experience.Dr. Divyaa, Oral Pathologist
Career breaks do not have to hinder professional growth. With preparation, support, and awareness of mental health, breaks can provide opportunities for skill development, personal growth, and better work-life balance. Women can successfully return to their careers and continue to achieve professional milestones with the right strategies and support systems.
Chauhan, Neerupa & Srinivas, Bandi. (2022). A Theoretical Study on The Attitude of Women Toward Returning to Work After a Career Break. BSSS Journal of Social Work. 14. 85-108. 10.51767/jsw1408.
“From Career Break to Career Boost: The Rise of Return-to-Work Programs.” ReachIRE.
IJ Research Publication. "Navigating Career Breaks: Challenges and Comebacks of Women in India" International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, Vol (6), Issue (4), April (2025), Page – 2671-2674.
Benson R, Glaser K, Corna LM, Platts LG, Di Gessa G, Worts D, Price D, McDonough P, Sacker A. Do work and family care histories predict health in older women? Eur J Public Health. 2017 Dec 1;27(6):1010-1015. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx128. PMID: 29036311; PMCID: PMC5881779.
Times of India. “Career Breaks Tricky for Women: Survey Reveals Challenges Faced by Women Re-entering the Workforce.” Times of India, 2023.
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