Mother's Day in the Workplace

Honouring Working Mothers and Supporting Employees Who Find The Day Challenging...

As Mother’s Day approaches this weekend (Sunday, March 10, 2024), it's important to acknowledge this occasion can bring forth complex emotions. It's a chance to honour working mothers for their vital role in the world and the workplace, while also acknowledging the difficulties some may face during this time.

Working parents have a number of rights while in employment and it is crucial that all employers are aware of them.

While we won't cover all of these rights here, this post briefly explores how employers can support working mothers and those facing challenges during this period.

Research by the Fawcett Society?last year revealed 250,000 women in the UK have quit their jobs due to challenges that come with balancing work and childcare duties.

On #InternationalWomensDay, it’s important to consider if the ‘motherhood penalty’ is impacting women in your workplace.

Here are 6 ways to support mothers in the workplace:

1. Empower them with autonomous and flexible work arrangements.
2. Foster a supportive community where parents can uplift one another.
3. Demonstrate visible leadership support for working mothers.
4. Offer practical financial benefits that positively impact households.
5. Encourage open discussions about the realities of parenting.
6. Create pathways for women to advance into leadership roles.

Employers can drive change by creating family-friendly workplace cultures that go beyond government policies. HR and leadership are essential in providing support for mothers returning to work and for working mothers in general. Supportive policies and leaders are essential for fostering a culture shift.

Beyond the celebrations, employers should show year-round support by implementing family-friendly policies and benefits, including robust maternity leave, not having inflexible working policies that do not reflect day-to-day realities, showing a commitment to gender equality and honouring employee rights.

New analysis by Pregnant then Screwed found , on average, mothers earned 43 per cent less per week than fathers in 2023.

When it comes to Health and Safety, Risk Assessments for New and Expectant Mothers at Work.

Are you aware and prepared for the new parental rights coming in 2024. Check out our article here.

For those who may find Mother's Day challenging...

Employers should be mindful of individuals who may find this time particularly challenging due to various circumstances, including loss, infertility, or personal choices regarding parenthood.

Here are 6 ways employers can offer support:

1. Respect diverse experiences by providing opt-out options for Mother's Day promotions/events.
2. Communicate openly with employees to understand their individual needs.
3. Provide access to internal and external support resources.
4. Provide/remind employees about support they can access via an employee assistance program to help them cope with grief, stress, or other emotional challenges related to Mother's Day.
5. Show compassion and flexibility with work schedules for those experiencing grief or difficulties surrounding Mother's Day.
6. Create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture where employees feel comfortable expressing their emotions and seeking support from colleagues and managers

We recently explored the legal position regarding bereavement at work and look at some of the commonly asked questions we receive here at Avensure on how to handle what can be a very difficult aspect of managing people. Read the article here.

Increasing evidence suggests that a positive company culture is crucial for business success. Fostering a family-friendly environment in your business goes beyond meeting legal requirements for parental rights at work.

??Take the time to understand your workplace culture. Are the working parents in your organisation struggling to achieve work-life balance?

Working parents have a number of rights while in employment and it is crucial that all employers are aware of them. How compliant are you this area of employment law? We can help if you need support: Click on the image below.??

Remember, this information serves for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Seek advice from Avensure before implementing any actions based on this information.

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