One of the most common issues working moms experience is balance in their lives. Working moms are often required to be at work for long hours while trying to take care of their family at home. As a result, they face the challenge of finding time for each part of their life while using the limited time they have effectively.
Being a working mom is challenging. However, having a supportive workplace can make the going so much easier. That’s why working moms must have allies throughout the workplace who can support them through their motherhood experience.
There are so many ways to support working moms in the workplace. Try some of these approaches:
1) Make flexible hours available
Flexible work hours are very advantageous for working moms. When flexible options are available, they don’t have to worry too much about fixed schedules and can change their routine at a moment’s notice.
Make it easier for them by allowing them to make up the hours they’ve missed with flexibility in scheduling. Ensure your company understands what your employees need to make this work successfully and meets those needs as much as possible.
2) Be understanding
Be understanding when working moms miss important meetings due to emergencies, appointments, or other related family life outside of work. Being empathic of these occasional absences allows you to develop trust and respect, ultimately empowering working moms to achieve the best performance.
3) Communicate about upcoming changes
Letting working moms know about upcoming changes in advance helps them plan around these changes. If a change will affect them more because of family commitments, being aware of it ahead has time allowed them to come up with a solution before things become unmanageable. For example, if you’re going on vacation or leaving the office for a couple of days, be sure to let your employees know so they can plan their lives accordingly without feeling swamped by an unforeseen change.
4) Be open to the idea of remote work
Allow working mothers to work from home if they need it. Working from home offers many benefits, particularly for working moms with young children who require constant attention throughout the day. It reduces stress since there is less commute or office socializing that takes away from their primary responsibility: taking care of their family. Working from home also makes it easier for them to take their children to the doctor or nurse if they are sick.
5) Provide Paid Maternity Leave
Maternity leave can be a significant change in a working mom’s financial situation. Having to stay home with a new baby without pay doesn’t help them maintain the same lifestyle they had before. Thus, it is beneficial to provide paid maternity leave and be understanding of working moms who may need a bit more time than expected to come back from maternity leave and resume their regular duties.
6) Make Adjustments on the Workplace Dress Code
Since most working moms are required to multitask, they don’t always have time and energy to do the home’s laundry. This isn’t a reflection of their dedication and hard work. It’s merely a function of life as a working mom.
Adjust your workplace’s dress code requirements so working moms can come in with casual clothing if needed. You can also help them save money from dry cleaning services.
7) Offer Wellness Programs
Working moms face a lot of physical and emotional stress from the challenges in their lives. Improve the company wellness program so working moms can participate in activities to reduce their stress and anxieties, such as yoga sessions, weight-loss competitions, or meditation classes. This will allow them to find ways to rejuvenate themselves throughout the long workday.
8) Provide Accommodation for New Mothers
If a working mom returns to work after maternity leave, be supportive by providing pumping rooms and a breastfeeding policy. Working moms need a private place where they can pump milk or nurse. This is especially important for those who plan to breastfeed their children long-term until they turn two years old.
9) Mentorship Program
Offer a mentor program for working moms who might need help and guidance in their jobs. Mentors can give them constructive feedback and advice on how to improve upon what they’re already good at, as well as suggestions on ways to be more efficient. For example, if a working mom feels overwhelmed because her workload has increased since she had children, mentors can advise her on simple changes such as delegating work to other employees.
You can also assign them as mentees to working moms who are in leadership positions. This way, new and expecting mothers can learn from their more experienced counterparts and become better employees in the process. This will also help them feel that they are part of a team dedicated to building a better workplace.
10) Consider Adding Perks that are Helpful to Working Moms
Perks can be a great way to reward your employees, but some perks may not be helpful for working moms. For example, an on-site health club membership isn’t beneficial if they have young children at home. Instead, consider adding benefits that are more fitting to their needs, such as subsidized child care expenses, mom’s group, and additional PTOs.
Benefits of Supporting Working Moms
For Employers
Increased Productivity and Quality of Work: When working moms feel supported and respected, they will be more confident in their roles and produce higher quality work.
Decreased Turnover: When working moms feel supported and not overworked, they are less likely to leave the company in search of a more supportive environment.
Attract Talents: When working moms feel supported, they know the company is committed to helping them achieve a healthy work-life balance. This can help attract more talented employees who are seeking that kind of environment at their workplace.
For Working Moms
Improved Health: When working moms have time for themselves through measures taken by the company, they will be healthier and happier in general.
Increased Confidence: When working moms have support from their employer, they will feel more confident in their jobs and be satisfied with what they do.
Decreased Stress: When a company creates a work-life balance for its employees, working moms can lessen their stress levels to focus better on the job. This leads to increased productivity overall. In addition, with healthy competition among coworkers and properly managed work hours, working moms don’t become fatigued as quickly, which increases their lifespan at work.
Conclusion
Offer support and understanding of the difficulties working mothers face by taking some simple steps in the workplace. Working moms will appreciate it if you make some changes that consider their unique situation while offering constructive advice on how they can improve themselves professionally.
With these ten ways to support working moms in the workplace, you can ensure that before long, you will have a workplace full of happy and productive employees who feel that their family life and career can exist in perfect harmony.
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