Working Moms Are Really Good for Business (and Here's Why)

MAY 5, 2022

It pays to have women--mothers or otherwise--in leadership positions. But for mothers specifically, many of the workplace skills that are bolstered by their experience as moms and caregivers seamlessly translate to leadership roles.

The gist:

When asked about “how being a mom makes them better at their job, patience, empathy, efficiency and multi-tasking topped the lis.” These “skills” are easily recognizable as being “beneficial in a work environment.”

While moms may not want to be positioned as superheroes, they have cultivated a skill set that is as applicable to the boardroom as it is to child care. In this time of talent drain and resignation, companies that shift to inclusive messaging and support programs only stand to benefit.

Moms face different challenges

• Moms were 3x times more likely than fathers to have lost their jobs due to Covid

• Moms with school-age children (aged 6-12) find work/life balance to be particularly difficult.

• Women are burdened with being the primary caregivers in their families and—since the pandemic, women's unpaid childcare has increased to an average 31.65/hours a week--eight more hours than men. —National Partnership for Women and Families 

In addition:

We know that men are rewarded with raises when they announce a child is on the way, while women see pay cuts and fewer opportunities for advancement.

What should companies do to rectify this, and accommodate moms + women in the workplace?

Especially when:

• Women-led businesses outperformed the competition, with "returns that were 226 percent higher," in an analysis of businesses from 2002 to 2014, and,

• Women-led teams were more collaborative, communicative, and open to learning--even when managed across remote locations."

Per the INC article, do this:

• Recognize the challenges that parents and especially moms face in and outside of the office.

• Look past the rigid 9-to-5 work schedule, and allow parents to work flexible hours as needed.

• Acknowledge biases in areas like resume gaps. Train hiring managers to ask questions in a positive way that allows for framing gaps as benefits rather than a deficit.

• Offer mentorship programs to help moms get back into the workforce.

Making the world of work work for women + moms isn’t a women’s issue anymore. It’s a competitive business strategy in an increasingly competitive business world.

Connect with the INC post here.