We Must Bring Moms Back.

A Call to Action on Mother’s Monday

A year plus into the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no denying the virus’ startling impact on women, particularly women of color. Statistics released by Oxfam International just last week confirm the all-too disturbing trend continues: women have left the workforce in droves, some because of the stress placed on female-dominated industries such as hospitality and education, others collapsing under the weight of playing multiple roles at home with no end in sight. The data is alarming: women lost more than 64 million jobs in 2020, amounting to an $800 billion loss in income. 2+ million women have simply vanished from the American workforce. 

We must bring moms back. 

Mothers are often lauded for being expert multitaskers: home tutor and homemaker; nurturer and family calendar owner; career-driven caregivers — often simultaneously. Yet, this superpower of multitasking — suffused with the complexities of invisible labor — becomes completely unsustainable when a pandemic breaks unsteady support systems, deprives families of quality childcare options, saps the seemingly endless energy required, and demands emotional investment just to weather the ongoing ordeal of “new normal.” At home. At work. Everywhere. 

The facts are stark: one in four women are either downshifting their careers or considering outright departure from the workforce; women are almost twice as likely to leave the workforce than their male counterparts; and there is a serious danger that we are on the cusp of the steepest decline in women’s labor since World War II, having already slipped to levels last seen in the late 1980’s. 

Yet, leading the Mom Project gives me reason and motivation not just to hope, but to provide an impetus for action this Mother’s Monday. The cards and flowers and brunches celebrate Mothers, but what we must do this Monday is get to work on behalf of moms in the workplace. With decades of progress vanishing right in front of us, we do not have the luxury of a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude. 

Taking action for moms means, firstly, acknowledging the gendered crisis we’re observing and, secondly, resolving to do right by working mothers. It starts with access: ensuring mothers are a part of the candidacy pool and championing diversity in the face of systemic inequities. The simple act of interviewing a mom is an act of advocacy, provided companies are digging into their career stories with open-minded curiosity and responding empathetically to mothers’ needs for flexibility. This is not special treatment, it is an acknowledgment that we cannot simply discard millions of women because they have obligations at home and have stepped up to ensure American families could sustain through generations. 

Together, let’s bring moms back to work.

Here’s how; 

Hire moms. This not only benefits qualified candidates, but organizations. We know that mothers in the workforce lead to 40% greater retention, 20% more positive overall experiences, and 81% favorable ratings around productivity. Moms show up wholeheartedly at home and at work, building stronger, more productive and progressive cultures for employers. It’s not just nice to hire moms, it’s a business imperative. 

Retain and elevate moms. This is just as important as getting these qualified candidates through the front door. Embracing flexible and respectful workplace cultures and instilling leadership at all levels to champion diversity and inclusion; and empowering parents with resources and benefits to support both their work and home lives — and the undeniable intersection thereof — are crucial to retaining employees and bringing their full breadth of talent to work.

The Mom Project was founded to connect talented women with world-class employers who respect and value work-life integration. COVID-19 has not only intensified the dedication to our mission, but brought into sharp, unflinching focus our commitment. Moms need us now, let’s take action. 

We must bring moms back to work. We must create spaces that work for them and their families. We must take action. 

Building a better workplace for the future starts today. Will you join us?

Allison Robinson

CEO & Founder, The Mom Project

#BringMomsBack

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