Discover five impactful ways companies can create supportive, family-friendly workplaces that help working mothers balance career, health, and home life.
Tramaine EL-Amin
Vice President, Mental Health First Aid
Research from a recent workplace survey of 5,000 women reveals that more than half say they don’t get adequate support for their mental health at work. The survey also shows that 1 in 5 women who were polled are the primary earner in their household, and of these, nearly half are still responsible for most of the childcare.
With mothers making up a significant portion of the workforce, employers, communities, and families can all benefit from workplace policies that provide the resources and support needed for working moms to thrive.
1. Communicate family and parental leave benefits clearly
Paid family leave can vary significantly between companies. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides some employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. Many states also have their own paid family leave programs, providing eligible employees with a portion of their wages while on leave.
2. Create a flexible workplace environment
Employers may also want to consider offering flexible working arrangements, including hybrid or remote work schedules, flexible working hours, or temporary part-time schedules. Companies that offer family-centric benefits may help reduce employee turnover, increase productivity, and help with the recruitment and retention of top talent. Providing these benefits can help with your business’s overall reputation by demonstrating social responsibility and a commitment to fostering a family-friendly culture.
3. Build a network of support
Research from Gallup shows that having a close network of friends at work contributes to a thriving employee experience and is key to employee engagement and job success. People with a “best friend” at work are “twice as likely to be engaged in their jobs, are better at engaging customers, produce higher-quality work, have a greater sense of well-being, and are less likely to get injured on the job.” Your workplace may want to consider creating a parent employee resource group to provide support and advice for other working parents, or a mentorship program to connect new or expectant moms to other working mothers.
4. Offer mental health and well-being benefits
Employers can play a pivotal role in supporting the well-being of working mothers by providing comprehensive mental health benefits, such as counseling services, mental health days, and employee assistance programs. Workplace training, such as Mental Health First Aid at Work, can help foster open discussions about mental health challenges and cultivate a supportive team culture, reducing stigma to build a new path for employees’ total health and well-being.
5. Provide dedicated spaces for working mothers
For in-person workplaces, offering a lactation room is crucial to support the transition stage of mothers going back to work after childbirth. A dedicated space to support the unique needs of breastfeeding mothers is essential to create a more inclusive, supportive, and productive work environment. Breastfeeding can be time-consuming, and having a private and comfortable space nearby can help alleviate stress and anxiety for nursing mothers. Employers should also write and promote a clear lactation policy, so mothers are aware of their rights in the workplace.
