Retaining female talent after maternity leave is a challenge for many businesses. Despite recent progress, women continue to face barriers that make returning to work after giving birth difficult. According to Harvard Business Review, 43% of highly qualified women with children voluntarily leave their jobs at some point in their careers, compared to 19% of men. Furthermore, statistics show that many women choose not to return to work after maternity leave.
However, companies and managers can take steps to support and retain these valuable employees. One such step is to provide them with resources and tools to assist them in their journey back to work. One such tool will be the book "Mommy Goes to Work". In this blog post, we will look at the challenges of retaining female talent after maternity leave, and how "Mommy Goes to Work" can assist working moms in making this important transition. We will also share book insights and inspiration, as well as practical advice for supporting and retaining female talent in the workplace.
The Challenges of Retaining Female Talent After Maternity Leave
Retaining female talent after maternity leave is a significant challenge for many businesses. One of the primary reasons women choose not to return to work after having a baby is a lack of workplace support and flexibility. Many working mothers believe that their employers do not value them and that their work-life balance is not taken into account.
According to a recent study, only 24% of female talents returned from maternity leave to their pre-maternity hours, while 57% left the workforce completely. Furthermore, many women who return to work after maternity leave face a lack of support and understanding from their managers and coworkers. This can result in feelings of isolation and burnout, affecting their job satisfaction and productivity.
Another issue that businesses face is the loss of valuable knowledge and skills from experienced female employees who leave the workforce. Replacing these employees can be costly and time-consuming, with new employees taking months or even years to become fully productive. This loss of talent can have a negative impact on a company's reputation as well as its bottom line.
To address these issues, businesses must take proactive steps to support and retain female employees. This includes offering flexible work arrangements, mentorship and coaching programs, and promoting a diverse and inclusive culture. Companies can retain talent and create a more productive and engaged workforce by prioritizing the needs of working moms and other women in the workforce.
Impact of Maternity Leave on Employee Retention
Maternity leave has a significant impact on employee retention because it can be a deciding factor for many women when deciding whether or not to return to work after having a baby. Maternity leave is a necessary benefit that allows women to take time off without losing their jobs to care for their newborns, but it's important to note that simply providing maternity leave isn't enough to retain female employees.
Research shows women who feel supported and valued during their maternity leave are more likely to return to work after giving birth. On the other hand, women who feel unsupported and disconnected from their workplace are more likely to leave their jobs. This emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive and flexible workplace culture not only during maternity leave, but throughout an employee's career.
Furthermore, providing flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies can improve employee retention. Flexible scheduling, telecommuting, and on-site child care are examples of policies that can help working mothers balance their work and family responsibilities. Companies that implement these policies send a message to their employees that they value and support their needs.
In summary, maternity leave has a significant impact on employee retention, but it is not the only factor to consider. Companies can retain female employees and create a more engaged and productive workforce by providing a supportive and flexible work environment.
Statistics on Women Leaving Workforce After Maternity Leave
Here are some interesting statistics on women leaving the workforce after maternity leave:
- 90% of women who received support from their managers during their maternity leave returned to work, compared to only 70% of women who did not. (Center for Talent Innovation study)
- 91% of women who returned to work after having a baby cited supportive colleagues and managers as the most important factor in their decision. (Boston Consulting Group survey)
- Women who received lactation support at work were more likely to return to work after maternity leave and stay with their employer in the long term. (University of Massachusetts study)
- Companies that offer flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting and flexible scheduling, have a higher retention rate for female employees returning from maternity leave. (Society for Human Resource Management)
These statistics emphasize the importance of supporting female employees during and after maternity leave. Companies that prioritize working moms' needs and create a supportive and flexible work environment have a better chance of retaining female talent and creating a more engaged and productive workforce.
Introduction to "Mommy Goes to Work"
Mommy Goes to Work is a heartwarming gift book for working mothers. This imaginative book not only helps children understand mom's work day but also helps the mother with transitioning after she returns to work from maternity leave.
Page by page, in bright illustrations, children discover all the connections between their mom's day at work and their own at school. This playful book calms separation anxiety and sparks kids' ambitions and imaginations. Most of all, it eases mom guilt and supports working parents when they need it most.
Meet the Creator – Jossy Lee
Jossy is an entrepreneur who received her education at prestigious schools in both Taiwan and the United States, at National Taiwan University(NTU) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology(MIT). She is the mastermind behind "Mommy Goes to Work", the award-winning book that was inspired by a conversation with her young son, who compared her presentation to show and tell. Jossy is passionate about driving positive change in the world, but she also cherishes all the moments with her loved ones and family in both Boston and Taipei.
It is safe to say that Jossy is a person of many things. She has a diverse range of talents and accomplishments, as evidenced by her various roles and achievements in both her personal and professional life.
Jossy is the founder of Dots Studio, an innovation consultancy specialized in product innovation and venture building. She is also a Coach with MIT Bootcamps and founding member of New England Innovation Academy, a middle and high school using human-centered design to prepare future inventors and entrepreneurs.
Finally, it's worth noting that Jossy’s husband Matt and their three sons, Jeremy, Timothy, Charlie, are all Creative Directors of the Mommy Goes To Work books.
Story of Why Mommy Goes to Work Was Created
As briefly mentioned above, it all started with a conversation. It is something small but truly inspiring.
“Mommy, why do you have to go to work?” – A question that most of the kids will ask their working moms at some point in their early childhood. It is not a hard question to answer because more often than not, parents work to provide for their family, which is what people might tell their kids. But the question that comes next is one that will give the moms second thoughts on going back to work – “Why can’t you just stay with me?”
Jossy felt that the very first time she dropped off her kid, Jeremy, at the daycare before going to work. Then it was the same feeling day by day. She mentioned that the daycare drop-off was so influential that it sets the tone of her day. Most of the time, Jeremy would cry or ask her not to leave. And in her exact words, her day will start off with a pit in her stomach and she always struggles to get back on track after that. This guilt she has is the primary reason why she created the book “Mommy Goes to Work”.
She clearly knows that many newbie working moms are most likely facing the same challenge, to the point where they simply choose to quit their jobs. But also like her, some of these moms also love their jobs. So she decided to compile this book to help working moms transition back to work after maternity leave easier and smoother.
Partnership with Giftpack
Giftpack is always on the lookout for partners who are also in for changing the world.
Upon first glance, the impression was, “what a cute book!”. And after further discussion with Jossy and her team, it became clear that "Mommy Goes to Work" has the potential to significantly impact the emotional well-being of mothers returning to work. The book is a powerful and influential tool that provides valuable support to those who are juggling work and motherhood.
The most notable aspect is that Jossy and her team are not just marketing a product, they are truly committed to assisting working mothers who are juggling the demands of motherhood and work, frequently feeling torn between performing both roles with excellence.
It is something so remarkable that we couldn’t pass up the chance to work together.
Why "Mommy Goes to Work" is the Perfect Gift for Working Moms
"Mommy Goes to Work" is an excellent gift for working mothers because it recognizes the unique challenges that working mothers face while also celebrating their contributions to their families and careers.
The storybook also explains to children in a relatable way what their mothers do all day, which can help to alleviate any guilt or confusion they may feel about their working mother's absence. Furthermore, the book portrays working mothers positively, which helps to combat stereotypes and stigmas that may discourage women from returning to work after having children.
Finally, "Mommy Goes to Work" is a thoughtful and personalized gift that shows working mothers how much they are appreciated.
Key Takeaways for Businesses Retaining Female Talents After Maternity Leave
As you can send “Mommy Goes to Work” as a gift book to the working moms or soon-to-be working moms to make sure that they feel supported, here are a few key takeaways for businesses to potentially increase the success of retaining their female talents after maternity leave:
Offering flexible work arrangements: Part-time or fully remote work, this can help working mothers balance their personal and professional responsibilities. Clear communication: To ensure a smooth transition back to work, communicate with returning mothers about their role, responsibilities, and expectations. Access to support networks: Employee resource groups or mentorship programs, can assist working mothers in feeling supported and valued at work. Parental leave with pay: Offer them paid parental leave, it can demonstrate a company's dedication to assisting new parents while also increasing employee loyalty and retention. Career development opportunities: Run training programs or leadership development. This will show your commitment to supporting employees' long-term career goals.
Retaining female talents after maternity leave has always been a challenge for businesses. Giftpack was moved by the inspiring story of the creation of “Mommy Goes to Work”. Hence the partnership.
In conclusion, businesses are having difficulty retaining female talent after maternity leave, which is causing many working mothers to leave their jobs. However, there are solutions available to help these new mothers make the transition back to work easier. Jossy Lee's storybook "Mommy Goes to Work" is one such solution.
It honors working mothers and assists them in navigating the challenges of motherhood and work. Businesses can help retain female talent and create a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture by assisting working mothers in this way. Resources like "Mommy Goes to Work" can provide emotional support and encouragement to new mothers who are returning to work.