A young woman who is building her professional career and knocking-it-out-of-the-park day after day still has one hurdle to overcome that is both irrelevant to her professionally and unacceptable personally, and it is hers alone. Scrutiny and bias exist simply because she can become a mother.Statistics from a 2018 Equality and Human Rights Commission report show that women are judged and evaluated based on their potential role as mothers. The report shows that:
- 36% of private-sector employers agree that it is acceptable to ask women about plans to have children in the future during the recruitment process
- 59% of employers agree that a woman should have to disclose whether she is pregnant
- 46% of employers agree that it is reasonable to ask women if they have young children
- 44% agree that women should work for an organization for at least a year before deciding to start a family
- One-third believe that women who become pregnant and new mothers in work are generally less interested in career progression as compared to other employees
As a mother who returned to work shortly after each of my children were born and as a woman who was always interested in career progression, I find the report results appalling and so incredibly discriminatory.
Men and Fatherhood
When is the last time you think a man being recruited for a position was questioned on whether he intended to start a family? I am confident the answer would be never. When was the last time a man was judged on being at an age of starting a family or having a young family? Again, never. In fact, according to a fifteen-year study published by the University of Massachusetts, when men become fathers, their earnings increase by an average of 6%, and women’s hourly wages are reduced by 4%. So starting a family for men can enhance their consideration for higher compensation and the promotion track in their work.
Only Women are Responsible
How do businesses justify their behavior penalizing women, not just for becoming mothers but also for the fact that they can become mothers? Employers justify these attitudes by making false assumptions that by becoming mothers women are distracted and less committed to their careers. These are just that, assumptions. These assumptions are based on old socially constructed stereotypes about women’s and men’s roles in child-rearing. Women in all careers have proven that they continue to be committed to their work and are perfectly capable of being both successful moms and successful career women at the same time.
Recently, the pandemic has brought to light how imbalanced domestic responsibilities are in two-parent homes. For women now working from home, the burden has become immense as their career responsibilities become a part of home life with children attending school in the same physical location. Although businesses have been forced to adjust to the idea of a remote working model, they have not made any major effort to understand what this means to female employees with children.
As shown in a 2020 Gallup poll, the division of labor in the United States still leans toward traditional stereotypes where women are more likely than men to take care of the household and the children. Flexibility has always been a key component that allows women to be successful both professionally and personally. And women have stepped up when necessary. Despite a woman’s ability to get a job done and do it well, there have often been just too many areas of pandemic life that are pulling her apart. So as a result, are women going backwards in the workplace? When this is over will women find it hard to come back? If history is evidence then yes, women will continue to struggle and be denied a level playing field.
Working on Our Own Behalf
So, what can women do on their own behalf? As always, the burden lies with women to take control as best they can. Following are steps that you can take to address motherhood and address the motherhood penalty all women experience.
- Always keep abreast of current trends in your industry. Attend webinars or take online training as much as possible. And always keep your resume updated with current information on your training and skills. Whether you are returning to the workforce or seeking a new opportunity you must represent yourself in the best possible light on your resume.
- If you are returning to the workforce address any time away from your career openly and honestly and remember to focus on the transferable skills you acquired while away.
- Look for professional womens’ groups in your field where you can find support and mentors.
- Research companies to ensure any positions you are considering are with organizations that support women.
- If you are currently employed and being considered for promotion be sure to document your achievements, evaluate what type of flexibility you may need if you accept the position, and present this to your boss.
- If you are a young woman who has not started a family as yet always be proactive and map out your professional plans and goals. Although this is not something that men need to do, be prepared to make clear how strong your commitment to your career is and how much thought you have put into your career.
As history has shown us and as seen today, women must always work harder and longer to be successful. Where men benefit from so many workplace attitudes, women have to overcome them. By being aware of all we have individually achieved and by being honest about our individual needs, we can work toward proving that motherhood itself or the possibility of motherhood does not impede women from making significant professional contributions and being very successful in their careers.
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