If you are scared to tell your employer that you are pregnant, to take maternity leave, or to request flexible hours because your child is sick, you should reconsider your company.
According to the World Bank data portal, while women account for 48% of the global workforce, 61% of women believe that motherhood disrupts their career progression. 38 percent of mothers with young children in the US say that without workplace flexibility, they would have had to leave their company or reduce their work hours. Women who experience microaggressions and self-shield to deflect them are 3x more likely to think about quitting their jobs and four times more likely almost always to be burned out.
I am proud to have co-founded Background Noise and share that we are on a path to change this culture by enlisting a playbook to support women throughout their careers.
Here’s the Working Mom's Playbook: Employer Strategies for Success and Support
- Company culture: Trust and faith in your employer is crucial so that conversations can be easily had vs. having to fight for your basic needs. We are still in a world of company cultures that mandate swiping behaviors, demand video-on during remote calls, and enforce 9-5 office hour mandates due to a lack of trust in their employees. At BGN, we not only have a fully remote and healthy working environment, we trust our partners and employees that things will be done timely without the need to coerce them.
- Flexibility is Key: Workplaces should adopt flexible hours and remote work setups. Flexibility allows moms to juggle their careers and families without stressing about being stuck in the office all the time. At BGN, I am fortunate to have a flexible work-life balance and schedule that often helps during those sick days when you feel everything is falling apart. It's not a difficult ask when you work with empathetic people who share the same values.
- Keep Travel in Check: Traveling for work can be tough, especially with little ones at home. Try to minimize it or find alternatives so moms don't have to choose between their job and family time. The guilt of leaving a baby or toddler home is real, and one must not be forced to do so unless it is a personal choice, especially in 2024, when everything can be done remotely.
- Childcare That Doesn't Break the Bank: Affordable and reliable childcare options are a game-changer for working moms. We need to make sure they're accessible so moms can focus on their careers without worrying about the cost. Employers must consider benefits such as paid childcare, family stipends, FSA, backup child care, etc. that can make childcare easier for parents.
- Prioritize Mental Health: Working moms need support for their mental health too. Offering resources like stress management tips and counseling services can make a big difference. Building support networks and mentorship programs can be a huge help for working moms. Let's create spaces where they can share stories, get advice, and lift each other up.
- Celebrate Motherhood: Embracing diversity in the workplace means supporting working moms and giving them the same opportunities for growth and success. Trust me, motherhood offers an important experience and life lesson in itself. From learning patience, problem-solving, or thinking on your feet, it prepares you to get better at all life challenges that come your way.
Motherhood comes with infinite challenges, but the right employer and company philosophy can support women throughout their careers. My two critical cents: Prioritize maintaining a healthy work-life balance and seek to collaborate with individuals who share your values. Lean on each other and build relationships that uplift and support. At Background Noise, we’ve been proud to create a space where we can transparently seek advice and lift each other. It is not easy to be a working mother, but a company that believes in the success of women can make all the difference.
We leave you with lots to think about, and we would love to hear your thoughts on how we can continue supporting mothers in the workforce.?
