According to a United States Department of Labor report, 70% of mothers with young children are now in the workforce. This means that more mothers than ever before are trying to juggle work and motherhood.
And even though motherhood is a rewarding experience, it can also be complicated and tiring. That’s why employers need to provide support and understanding to new mothers returning to work. As a business owner or manager, it’s essential to be aware of the unique challenges that new mothers face and to do what you can to support them.
Offer flexible hours or the option to work from home
One way to support new mothers in the workplace is to offer flexible hours or the option to work from home. This can help them to better manage their time and responsibilities. Additionally, it can provide much-needed flexibility when it comes to childcare. Allowing new mothers to work from home can also help reduce stress levels, as they will not have to worry about being away from their babies for long periods.
Offering flexible hours or the option to work from home is a great way to support new mothers in the workplace. It can help them better manage their time and responsibilities and provide much-needed flexibility when it comes to childcare. Allowing new mothers to work from home can also help to reduce stress levels, making the transition back to work after having a baby much easier.
Sponsor their baby’s photoshoot
One way to support new moms in the workplace is to sponsor their newborn’s photoshoot. Remember that a baby will not be a baby forever, so capturing those special memories is vital for new mothers. You can hire newborn photography services for your employee’s babies and allow them to have beautiful photos that will last a lifetime.
Your employee will significantly appreciate this gesture, especially once they return to work, as they will have beautiful photos to look at and remember the time spent with their baby.
Provide on-site childcare
According to the same Working Mother Media report, 32% of working mothers say that on-site child care is the most critical factor when considering a job. Providing quality, affordable childcare at the workplace can benefit both employers and employees. For employees, it eliminates the need to find and pay for outside childcare. It also makes it easier to breastfeed and pump milk during the workday.
For employers, on-site childcare can increase employee satisfaction and retention and improve productivity. Studies have shown that employees who are happy with their childcare arrangements are more likely to be engaged and productive at work. In addition, on-site childcare can help to attract and retain talent, as more and more working parents are seeking out workplaces that offer child-friendly amenities.
Give paid leave for new parents
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) only offers 12 weeks or 3 months of unpaid leave for new parents, but many businesses go above and beyond this by offering paid leave. According to SHRM, the average amount of paid parental leave offered by American companies is 8 weeks for maternity leave and 4 weeks for paternity leave. Offering paid leave shows your employees that you value their family life as well as their work life. This will allow them to bond with their child and get the rest they need without worrying about lost income. Paid leave not only helps to reduce employee turnover but also shows that your company cares about employees’ family life, making them more likely to stay employed with you.
Offer health insurance coverage for families
Health insurance is another important benefit for new families. To attract and retain top talent, it’s important to offer health insurance that covers not only employees but also their families. This includes coverage for prenatal care, doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and more. By doing so, they can help ease the financial burden on new parents and show their employees that they value their families. In addition, health insurance coverage can help new moms stay healthy and active in the workplace. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
Final thoughts
Supporting new moms in the workplace is good for business—it helps attract and retain top talent, boosts morale, and increases productivity. There are many ways businesses can support new moms such as offering flexible hours or the option to work from home, providing on-site child care, giving paid leave for new parents, and offering health insurance coverage for families. By implementing some or all of these policies, you can create a workplace that is supportive of working mothers and their families.
