Russians are divided on raising mothers' salaries but supported remote work for pregnant women

The survey revealed a gap in support between the two initiatives

A majority of Russians — 73% — support the idea of allowing pregnant women to work remotely if there are medical recommendations and the nature of the work permits absence from the office. 15% spoke against, and another 12% found it hard to answer. These figures come from a survey by the job search service SuperJob, as reported by Gazeta.Ru. Women support the initiative more often than men — 78% versus 67%, and among young people under 35 the share of supporters reaches 82%.

Raising mothers' salaries is a matter of dispute

A completely different reception greets the idea of legally obliging employers to raise women's salaries after the birth of a child: only 36% of respondents support it, 31% are against, and 33% found it hard to answer. Critics in the survey noted that childbearing is not connected with the performance of job duties, that women without children would find themselves in a disadvantaged position, and that such a law could worsen the already existing problems women face when looking for work. The initiative is more often supported by women — 40% versus 31% among men, and among Russians under 35 there are 42% supporters.

How much extra pay is proposed

Among supporters of a mandatory pay increase, the range of 11–20% was most frequently named — 28% of respondents indicated it, while 22% of respondents propose an increase of up to 10% inclusive. SuperJob separately noted a divergence in the very framing of the question: remote work for pregnant women on medical grounds is perceived as a way to preserve employment, whereas a mandatory bonus for the birth of a child raises doubts about fairness toward other employees. Earlier, a lawyer explained to the publication, in response to its question, how an employee should act if she was demanded to resign before maternity leave.