Since COVID-19 took the world by storm, more and more businesses find the need to become more flexible and meet their employees halfway when balancing their home and work responsibilities. Our collective Founder and CEO, LaKendria Robinson, knows firsthand the new challenges working parents face in these changing times. Even if employers allow employees to work from home, many parents still have to take on the home school teacher simultaneously. How can using the lens of DEI help organizations better accommodate working parents? With Mother’s Day coming up, it’s the perfect time for employers to understand their needs better.
The Orenda Collective challenges organizations to view their community through a diverse and inclusive lens. An inclusive work culture embraces mothers and gives them what they need to return to work with confidence and purpose. Too often, well-meaning employers don’t realize they are meeting their employees, specifically moms, from their perspective rather than treating their needs individually.
Every person’s experience is different. Every person is different. Parents of some children may require accommodations that others do not and may not have even thought of. Because parenting is at least an 18-year-long job, parents will have different needs based on the stage of their parenting journey.
If a company is run primarily by individuals from a white, healthy, and otherwise privileged background, it’s possible that they’re stifling inclusion simply by being unaware of others’ needs or challenges.
Currently, office culture places responsibility on employees to make specific requests for their individual needs. At The Orenda Collective, we’re working towards a shift in focus from antiquated ideals to progressive forward-thinking. What if, rather than putting the onus on employees, employers initiated the conversation to find out what their workforce needs?
While the very best thing a company can do is speak directly with their employees, we have a few recommendations for companies that want to support working mothers at every stage in their parenting journey:
- Accommodations for new moms –
It’s essential to be intentional about fostering a company culture supportive of new mothers. Even if not required by Florida law, offering a specific space for nursing mothers to pump, handle family matters privately, or simply decompress from the stresses of returning to work as a new mother ensures comfort for them and other employees. - Provide support during times of transition –
Welcoming a new child, managing a change in schedule or role, or coming back from parental leave can be daunting to work through. Consider offering parental leave on a phase-back basis that gives mothers (and fathers!!) a gentler return transition, such as working half days for the first few weeks of working from home part-time. - Advertise resources for working mothers that are already in place –
Employees may not realize what programs exist or what they have access to. For example, childcare options, home maintenance, cleaning services, and mental health programs are great for new mothers and usually go unmentioned. Being a resource and advertising resources that can help ease mothers back into the workforce can be helpful and relieve stress.
- Offer benefits may appeal to working mothers –
- Dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
- Stipends for child care expenses
- Digital forums for parents at your company to chat with each other
- Programs for new parents
- Paid sick leave
- Lead by example
Leaders can show they support working parents by setting an example of a good work-life balance. Let your team members know that work/life balance is possible by having one yourself. Be open about family life or parenting struggles to normalize these conversations and keep working parents from feeling alone. Also, keep in mind that work/life balance may be different for everyone, so seek to understand the specific needs of your employees and extend some grace. You attract more bees with honey, not vinegar!
Why should companies invest in mothers? Mothers are masters of multi-tasking, planning ahead, communication, negotiation, and organization. Not to mention, they are extremely proficient in handling the demands of others in a way that creates win-win solutions for everyone. We are resilient and know how to work under pressure, with a lack of sleep and high demands.
Hiring mothers will make your teams more diverse, offer new perspectives that drive innovation, and help model a flexible workplace culture for your other employees. Showing your support for working parents will help you retain top talent, attract other qualified workers to your company, and positively impact morale and productivity.
Give moms what they really deserve this Mother’s Day! The space and grace to bring their whole authentic self to the workplace. The most straightforward way you can support working moms is to keep the lines of communication open. Reach out to your employees regularly, and discuss their changing needs with supervisors or human resources. Be empathetic, compassionate, and understanding about the challenges working moms face. Ask them what they need and what specific ways you can support them. Having a diverse, inclusive workforce can make your company more innovative, competitive, and successful.
At The Orenda Collective, we challenge organizations and individuals to view their community through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive lens while delivering innovative solutions. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how you can improve your company’s DEI.
