Being a mother is the hardest job you can have, but being a working mother, particularly in today’s society, is that much harder.
Trisha Parker is the owner of Peaceful Solutions Massage Therapy & Spa in Montgomery, Ala., which is an hour from her home — causing her to spend a lot of time on the road. As the mother of a 6-year-old, that is valuable time spent away from her family. While her husband is usually available to pick up her son Jack from school, Parker always feels as if she is “on call.” “Jack understands that Mommy has to work, however that doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty on the nights I have no choice but to work late,” says Parker.
A legal secretary and single mother of two, Susan Morgan lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., where the cost of living is one of the highest in the nation — making her want to have a successful career even more. “It’s all about balance and planning ahead,” Morgan says of her ability to do it all. “[My daughters] had schedules and we all worked to abide by the schedules in order to prevent utter chaos.”
Corporations and businesses usually provide benefits and options to make a working mother’s life easier, but some employers are better at this than others. Here are seven perks actual working moms believe every employer should offer.
What would you add to the list?
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Flexible Hours
Four-day work weeks are ideal for mothers. Working four long days and taking a fifth off makes it easier for them to squeeze in weekday doctor’s appointments for the kids and get chores done at home.“As owner of the spa, I am able to create my own hours — a huge perk,” says Parker. “Taking into consideration the fact that most of my employees are working moms and conflicts are bound to ensue, I implemented flex hours. As long as I am aware of everyone’s working schedule on a weekly basis and they get their clocked hours, I approve. Flex hours have proved helpful and are yet to backfire.”
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Work From Home
Yes, Marissa Mayer, not all jobs can be effectively performed away from the office. But when it’s possible, this a luxury that makes sense for working moms. Multitasking is a trait most women have mastered, so working from home is a smart solution for mothers.“Although I don’t take advantage of the opportunity as much as I should, working from home is a nice escape from the office and allows me to be available for my girls at the drop of a hat,” Morgan says. “I usually work from home if someone is sick or has appointments.”
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Child Care Options
When parents work, kids still need to be taken care of. And moms are usually the ones responsible for finding care — it’s one of their biggest stressors. Plus, child care is expensive. In many states in the US, it costs more than either rent or college tuition.Employers can help out by offering access to child care resources. Some companies already provide backup child care as a work benefit, such as through Care.com’s Care For Business program. This program offers employees of participating companies access to child care either at home or at a nearby child care facility. And with that major stressor solved, working parents can then be much more productive at work — and way less stressed-out.
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Gym Memberships
Regular exercise is proven to reduce stress, improve self-esteem and increase energy levels. A gym membership or gym for employees’ use in office may sound like a common perk, but many companies still don’t offer it.“My office has a state-of-the-art gym that I utilize regularly,” Morgan says. “I prefer to go during my lunch break and appreciate the luxury of not even having to leave the building.”
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Dry Cleaning Services
Laundry in a busy household can prove to be a nightmare that never stops, and often parents’ clothes are the last to be taken care of. Free dry cleaning saves time and ensures working moms don’t show up with spilled milk on their work clothes. -
Entertainment
In many working families, money is tight and entertainment budgets get squeezed. Complimentary tickets to local activities, such as sporting events, museums, zoos or movies, give mothers a chance to bond with their children. Or maybe parents need to get out and have a date night — they’ve earned it.“I’ve worked at a number of large law firms and one of the greatest perks is the free tickets to events,” Morgan says. “Whether it’s a baseball game or theater tickets, my children thoroughly enjoy and are grateful for any outing.”
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Socials Opportunities
Lots of networking occurs during happy hours and dinners. Working moms then have to choose between missing dinner with their kids and missing out on business opportunities. Company social events are great, but the timing should be rotated; interweave breakfasts, lunches and daytime off-sites with nighttime events, so all employees can take advantage.And open more events to the entire family. “I hold a dinner for everyone once a month,” says Parker. “It’s not only a team-building dinner, but families are invited as well. A free meal is always appreciated, particularly if you’re a working mother and don’t always have extra time to plan ahead.”
For a busy mother, it’s the little things that make a big difference, and providing them will endear her toward your company. The payoff is a happier employee who will remain loyal and productive.
Kelly Johnston is a freelance writer in Washington D.C. Her work can be found here.
