The Battle of Working Moms

Not long ago, I came across a testimonial from a new mother who had returned to work earlier than planned. Instead of receiving support, she was questioned about her "motherness."

This narrative is all too common. Today’s working moms are often trapped in a catch-22: return early, and you're seen as neglecting your child; return late, and you're labeled a lazy worker.

A UK study (Understanding Society Topic Champion for Social Policy) found that career paths for men and women diverge significantly after the birth of a child. Only 27.8% of women are in full-time work or self-employed three years post-childbirth, compared to 90% of new fathers. Mothers often move to part-time roles and face career stagnation. Key findings include:

• Less than 20% of new mothers return to full-time work within three years; this drops to 15% after five years.
• 17% of women leave employment entirely within five years of childbirth, versus 4% of men.

Mothers are raising their voices and demanding fair treatment. This battle will be a decisive win, setting a new standard for future workplaces!

We had a fresh, recurring experience last year with a candidate who had to bring her baby to the interview. She was a single mom who had postponed the interview twice due to a lack of childcare. When she finally opened up about her situation, we scheduled the interview around her baby's nap time, ensuring she could attend without worry and being stressed! Instead of feeling stuck, communicating motherhood challenges is absolutely normal. It should also be standard practice for anyone involved in the hiring process to be trained and aware of this new reality.

Looking ahead, companies must recognize that the future is highly personalized. Maternity leave is not enough; different programs such as stay-in-touch initiatives during maternity leave and clear communication about changes affecting their positions should be put in place. By doing so, new moms will feel confident that they are being treated fairly and that their return to their positions is valued.

Isn’t this the right thing to do?

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