The Hidden Cost of Returnship Programs

The Diversity Career Podcast with Fexingo: Inclusion, Equity, and Underrepresented Professionals · Sep 22, 2026 · 7m · transcript

We examine the rise of corporate returnships for professionals taking career breaks, using data from major employers like JPMorgan and Accenture. With over forty percent of women leaving the workforce for caregiving reasons, these programs promise a bridge back to work but often suffer from low conversion rates to full-time roles. Lucas and Luna break down the structural flaws in current returnship models, the wage penalties that persist even after successful completion, and what job seekers can do to negotiate better terms when re-entering the market. This episode explores whether these…