How Mothers Going Back To Work Can Help Your Company

We need mums. Arguably the heart of every community, most mothers take on the crucial task of caring for the home and the kids. Their distinctive skill set makes them dependable household members, enabling the rest of us to rely on them for our needs.

The skills that make them amazing mothers are also the skills that make them valuable to the workplace. However, mothers returning to work find it difficult to transition to office life because balancing two full-time roles is no small feat.

According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2021 report, women employed full-time are often said to be working a “double shift” and are 1.5 times more likely to spend three or more hours per day on housework and childcare.  

It has taken its toll, particularly during the pandemic, with the same report saying that one in three mothers have considered leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers because of COVID.

Companies with working mums in their teams should learn to recognise their value in the workplace. In the same way that working mums adjust their lifestyles to fulfill all their responsibilities, employers should adjust their programs and structures to create a supportive environment for all their employees.  

We all know that mums are superhuman. But their superpowers extend well beyond the home and can help companies succeed.

Mums are resilient. Mums have developed resilience through dealing with the endless tasks at home. Because they have so many responsibilities, they know how to strategise and carry out tasks efficiently. Caring for children is a 24/7 endeavour, and adding the house chores over that truly makes women tap into energy reserves more than they’ve had to before. When you have someone like this in the workplace, you’ll be sure to learn from their ability to handle any high-stress situation.

Mums are very eager to learn. Mothers returning to work may feel under-confident, as they have been away from the field for a while. However, these women are more likely to be extra motivated in the workplace, because they want to find fulfillment outside of the home. Employers can always stand to benefit from motivated employees, as this translates to high employee engagement, better efficiency and increased productivity.  

Mums have strong leadership skills. Being able to manage a household can also help you manage a team. According to SHRM, many employees see mothers as having top diplomacy, communication and multitasking skills, which can help them prepare for challenges facing a business leader. The McKinsey report also says that having women in senior-level positions can be highly beneficial for a company. The research found that company profits and share performance can be close to 50% higher when women are well-represented in the higher ranks.

Mums can offer a new perspective. Having working mothers in the team can offer their unique perspective to the team. A diverse and inclusive work culture that makes room for a variety of ideas can help drive innovation and a more positive working environment. Furthermore, women have been found to have a significant impact on company culture. The McKinsey report found that women are more likely to embrace employee-friendly policies and champion diversity.

Because there are so many benefits to having working mums in a company, employers should do their part in attracting and retaining this kind of talent in their ranks. Creating a mum-friendly workplace can keep employees engaged and more trusting of their leadership.

Create an open line for communication. Reach out to the mums in your workplace. What do they need? How can the office help them? What do they see as points for improvement in the firm? Learning more about the working mums in your company can help you create an assistance program that directly caters to their well-being, helping them settle in the workplace better.

Employers can also conduct a survey that will help them understand the demographic of the working mums in their company. Remember that mothers will have different needs, depending on what stage they are in life. The company needs to understand how to address these differences.

Set up a supportive work environment. Working mums need to feel supported so they can worry less about home and focus on the job while they’re in the office. A mother-friendly workplace can help them do just that. Here are some ideas on how to support your working mums:

• Maternity leave benefits - The Ministry of Manpower states that working mothers are entitled to 16 weeks of government-paid maternity leave or 12 weeks of maternity leave, depending on certain criteria. Potential employees might be more inclined to work for companies that can supplement this existing regulation.

• Flexible work options - The Jobstreet Decoding Global Talent survey has found that more workers prefer a hybrid style of working, and working mums are no different. Employers that offer work-from-home options for their working mums will be more attractive to potential employees.

• Breastfeeding nooks - New mums will find the presence of breastfeeding areas in the office very helpful, especially in the early stages of their return to work.

• Childcare options in the office - Most working mums worry about leaving their kids behind if they return to work. Having childcare options, such as a daycare centre in the office, can make it easier for working mums to bring their children to work without disrupting their actual work.

Develop a “working mums network.” Transitioning from being at home all day to coming in to work regularly can be overwhelming. Talking to someone who has similar experiences would be a great help for many working mums. A mentorship program where new mums or expecting mums can connect with other mums in the office – especially those in leadership roles – can help these women build their confidence as they enter this new stage in their life.

We need mums in the workplace. Their solid skill set, a strong sense of leadership, and unique perspectives can benefit any company. Employers would do well to support, attract and retain these talents to create a truly diverse and inclusive work environment. Start ushering in mums who are returning to work. You won’t regret it.

Visit the Employers Insights page for more tips that can guide you in attracting the most suitable jobseeker. It can also help you stay up to date on the latest employment trends to boost your talent acquisition needs. Register now on JobStreet to start you off on building your workforce today.