Negotiating Work Flexibility as a New Mom

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 69.9 percent of women working have children under age 18. Pew Research Center also reports that 40 percent of all households with children under the age of 18 include mothers who are either the sole or primary source of income for the family. This leaves many hardworking moms asking the question, “How do I discuss work flexibility with my employer so I can better balance work and mom duties?”

Moms in the workforce need to learn about what to expect from their employers and how to ask for it. Tonya Lain, Regional Vice President at Adecco, understands the struggles working moms face and how to professionally ask for flexibility at work. Today she provides PINK with advice on how to “make the case” to an employer for flexibility such as working remotely, reduced hours or flextime.

“Women have made immense progress in the workplace over the past few decades, but many still struggle to balance their duties as mom with those of their career. Yet, it is possible for working mothers to join the 13 million Americans that now have flexible working arrangements by addressing the subject in a way that accommodates their needs at home with the expectations of their employers.”

“As professional women, we have an obligation to help ourselves, our colleagues, and other parents find a way to make the balance of the professional and personal work for us. Think about how many amazing employees or job seekers we may be missing out on because they may need to work different hours than what is considered the typical mold. We should all work to create a more robust community of various job opportunities and structures.”

“There’s a misconception that flexibility impacts productivity, and that’s simply not true. A recent Stanford University study revealed that those working from home are “noticeably more productive,” so it’s important to have an open and honest discussion with your employer around what works for you if more flexibility is needed. Do your research around what the ideal situation would be, but also take into consideration what works for your job as well. For some, it may be working from home on certain days, for others it may be logging on at non-traditional hours around a baby’s schedule. Work to find a solution that’s comfortable for all parties involved and set up guidelines and check-ins that you’ll both stick to.”

“Having a conversation about work flexibility with an employer can reduce stress for women and help them to be more productive – and happier – in all areas of their lives.”

“As professional women, we have an obligation to help ourselves, our colleagues, and other parents find a way to make the balance of the professional and personal work for us. Think about how many amazing employees or job seekers we may be missing out on because they may need to work different hours than what is considered the typical mold. We should all work to create a more robust community of various job opportunities and structures.”

Photo by  Zurijeta | Shutterstock