Under employed.

Figures produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) has found that many women with first class degrees are 'trading down' in their employment when they return to work after maternity leave. It is estimated that 25 per cent are in now so called 'lower middle' skill jobs. It appears that many employers are reluctant to employ them in the job that demands their true skills and ability. This lack of flexibility in the work place is forcing these women to therefore unperformed and rob the economy of these productive skills. The author of the report Jamie Jenkins thinks things have got much worse since the start of the recession in 2008/9. This of course betokens a latent sexism by employers towards women. Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer at Facebook in her book Lean In argues that talented women should not 'trade down' in the work place. If they do it undermines their confidence and perpetuates the problem. So government, the Confederation British Industry (CBI) and others should 'wake up and smell the coffee' otherwise getting out of the recession will take much longer.