Pandemic and the vulnerability of working mothers
....VIKRAM KHARVI ....
CEO - Bloomingdale PR | Fractional CMO - ANSSI Wellness | Elevating Brands with a Strategic Blend of Marketing Communications
Ever since the pandemic has hit us, many jokes were revolving around how men were subjected to do housework, while managing their office tasks. But on the ground, the situation for working mothers became worst for real. A small survey revealed that most working mothers were either considering leaving their jobs or are exhausted, impacting their health and mental wellbeing. To add to it, the absence of housemaids had made the situation even more challenging.
The PR industry employs more women than men because of their natural skill of being collaborative and social in group settings. Within this majority, there are a significant number of mothers, including single mothers as well. Work from home along with highly demanding child-care chores, managing the entire upkeep of their homes, family members and giving 100% focus to their work is a mammoth exercise.
In one of the poll that I had initiated in June 2020, revealed that 55% of PR practitioners are happy to continue work from home, while 45% voted against it. While work from home may appear to be the best option for the majority of men, bachelors and few who have ready help at home, a significant part of the PR industry workforce was against it. One of the primary reason was the challenges faced by mothers in the work from home setting. If the scenario continues, many leaders are worried about the implication of their workforce.
Even in normal times, many women practitioners choose to take an extended sabbatical after the childbirth, which leads to a reduction of earning, career graph and chances of promotion. When they return, they see many of their juniors moved up their ladder, bringing in a sense of loss and discomfort. The addition of pandemic is kind of double whammy for mothers who are forced to consider another short break.
This pandemic has pushed the working mothers with school-going children into a unique juggling act. This unique situation requires policies that support the working mothers and not push them towards making the hard choice between their children and job.
Is the industry listening? Will clients be more considerate towards working mothers servicing their accounts?
Corporate Communications | Content Specialist | Marketing
4 年It is indeed the most stressful of times for working women. We are practically juggling at this point. And like we always do, with great determination each of us are slowly but gradually settling into the chaos and making it our own. Hats off to all women out there, who are battling it out. More power to you!
Senior Manager - Accounts & Admin at 3M Media Works Private Limited
4 年Multi tasking?
Communications Consultant | Public Relations | Social Media
4 年Completely agree with the points which you have mentioned in the write-up..it's high time for the industry to realise that juggling between professional and personal life it's not an easy task...while we go about saying that we all need to maintain a balance work-life..but this ongoing pandemic has given a complete edge to the concept of 'new normal' however accepting this new normal seems to be challenging at times.
Sustainability Strategy I Marketing I Branding I Integrated Communications
4 年We all desperately need to move from 'Working mother' to 'Working parents' maybe it wont be that vulnerable
Global Communications Leader - Lead Advisor - Brand Marketing & Communications at Edelman
4 年Hi Vikram, I respect the intent behind this post, but I find this missing a few pieces and so, mildly regressive. There’s no denying that it is a much more difficult time and full respect to the parents currently in these circumstances. I’m not sure what your survey sample was, but this post entirely eliminates the role of the partner - note, partner not husband - and immediate family. They are the ecosystem that needs to provide support and nourishment and care. Women will always excel at managing time and responsibilities. This also disregards the pressure on the working father. Mind you, I’m not one, but I know many and have discussed the pressures they face. Secondly, it’s not up to the client to help manage this. It’s the agency’s responsibility. You have other people to fill in, so that the client has a seamless agency experience. That’s where company culture and HR policy leads. So while your intent is appreciated, this post tells part of the story. I hope the next one will complete the picture and as a result, be more representative of the subject and of women and men at the workplace. As a professional in the business of story/perception creation, it starts here.