compares to being a mama, I also genuinely love what I do career-wise, and just know that I wouldn't feel completely fulfilled if I gave that up to stay at home on a full-time basis.
But as every working mother across the world knows, going to work when you have children is not only a juggle of time and logistics at times, but can also be a tough financial challenge for many families too. There is
of work to be done when it comes to making returning to work and hanging onto your career when you start a family not only possible, but also financially doable for many new mums.
Better and longer parental leave policies would help. As would more affordable childcare. And last, but not least, having the option to work in a more flexible and family-friendly way would help a lot of families who are currently struggling to balance work and family life.
Which is why we are loving the way these innovative companies are making life easier for mums returning to work – and hope some of these trends will catch on here on our shores very, very soon!
Style icon, mum-of-two and total MumBoss Rachel Zoe deserves all the cheer for last year declaring that her employees were allowed to bring their babies to work – and to care for the kids in an on-site nursery/daycare.
Sure, it’s an investment in resources, explains Zoe, but:
“What we are getting in return is invaluable; the working mothers at our company can improve and grow our business without having to sacrifice spending precious time with their babies at such a crucial stage in their mother-child relationships.”
What. A. BOSS.
2. The coworking space + daycare office
Co-working office
NextSpace in San Fransisco also features NextKids, a spinoff space that allows working parents to rent a workspace and also enroll their tots in high-quality childcare – all in the same building.
What this means, of course, is that parents can be productive while also knowing that their babies are happy, safe and thriving – a win/win if you ask us?!
The internet has allowed more and more people to work remotely as you now longer need to be sitting physically in the building where your work is.
The, of course, is great news for mothers who not only want to spend more time with and near their children, but who also struggle with ever-rising costs of professional childcare.
In having employees work from home, companies can also save money on things like office space and heating, while employees, being able to completely avoid any commuting time, can have a more effective work day – and more time with their families.
Which, we think, is pretty priceless.
Having a baby is a major life-change for every parent, and will impact all areas of your life, not just your home one. This is something more and more companies are also now starting to understand, and have started doing something about – to make life for working parents that little bit easier.
Some companies, like Ernst & Young have, according to the
New York Times, started offering career coaching for new mothers (genius!), while
IBM are now helping lactating mamas return to work by offering to ship their pumped breast milk back home if they are attending araway conferences or have to travel in the line of work.
What would have made a difference when YOU were returning to work after maternity leave, mamas? Is you work place family friendly, or are you struggling to find that elusive work-life balance? Let us know in the comments or send me an e-mail at Trine.Jensen@Herfamily.ie
