Returning to work after parental leave can be tough, especially for mothers. Thankfully, there are easy and thoughtful ways that colleagues—no matter their role, whether they are parents or their gender—can support mothers as they come back to work. This support can improve job satisfaction and well-being for these mothers.
A study by the Carlson School of Management looked into how being an ally in the workplace helps mothers after they have a baby. The researchers talked to 45 mothers to find out what actions they saw as true support. They then studied 155 mothers who had returned to work in the past four months to see how this support affected their well-being, career choices, and family lives.
The study identified four types of support:
- Navigating HR policies: Helping mothers understand and use HR resources and policies.
- Creating supportive environments: Offering flexible work-from-home hours and clear work-family boundaries.
- Validating worker identity: Celebrating a mother’s return to work and showing confidence in her professional abilities.
- Validating mother identity: Checking on the mother’s well-being and showing interest in her baby.
This support boosted mothers’ confidence in juggling work and motherhood, reducing feelings of guilt. It also made them less likely to consider quitting to stay home, as they began to see work as beneficial to their family life. Additionally, the support helped lessen symptoms of postpartum depression.
Enhancing the workplace experience
This research shows how workplace allyship can significantly enhance the experience and well-being of mothers returning to work, fostering a more supportive and inclusive environment.
“In a country that lacks paid federal leave, working mothers are often forced to return to work far before they are ready—a significant factor in influencing women’s decisions to leave the labor force,” the authors conclude.
“While we may still be years away from any change to federal policies, there are ways in which we can assist mothers as they return to work postpartum and reduce their inclinations to leave. Postpartum allyship behaviors help working mothers feel like they can bring their whole selves to work, with both their professional and maternal identities living in one space.”
