Mums At Work: It’s official: mums in the workplace are good for business

Anxious about returning to work? You shouldn't be! Together with 100 Mums, we've provided a list you can take to a potential employer explaining why having you in their business will make them more successful.

Going back to work

One of the most fraught decisions we make as mothers is about the return to work after having kids: Do I go back to work? How much maternity leave can or should I take? Will I manage? Will we be able to afford it? What if I can’t find work when my child goes to school?

It’s no wonder that the whole working-mother issue is one of the most hotly debated topics on internet forums – after breast vs bottle feeding and controlled crying vs co-sleeping, there’s no other topic as likely to stir up strong feelings among mums. But unlike these other major parenting decisions, the decision to return to work actually makes a big difference to the wider community because returning to work after having children could make a difference to the Australian economy.

What more mums at work means for our economy

According to the Grattan Institute, an Australian public policy think tank, more women returning to work after having children could increase the size of the Australian economy by about $25 billion a year.

But the truth is returning to work after having children can be daunting. Sometimes being out of the workplace for a while means we’ve lost the confidence or think we no longer have the skills. We also worry we won’t find work because we are mothers and therefore not seen as a good candidate.

Your valuable contribution

It’s easy to forget how valuable our contribution really is. Janine Lay-Flurrie, CEO of 100 Mums, an organisation that provides businesses with access to highly talented and experienced businesswomen (who just happen to be mothers), outlines the things we should remember when going back into the workforce. It’s a list you could potentially have on tap the next time you go into an interview …

You are highly qualified (Australia is first for female education in the world, but 52nd in workforce participation).
You have had a significant amount of experience in (and sometimes out of) the workforce.
You are focused on getting the job done without wasting time.
You have a level of expertise where you can deal with all levels of management.
You can often step straight into a role.
You are happy in both your workplace and home environments and therefore can contribute positively to the organisation.
You have life experience and can therefore navigate, benefit and add value to the culture of the organisation.
You want to work and will reward a business that offers you flexibility with dedication and a strong work ethic.
If the employer is offering a part-time role, you can give them a higher level of skill that they might not normally be able to afford, which can seriously add growth to the business.

Flexible working arrangements are good for employers

But it’s not just that mothers can make great candidates for the job. Employers also have a lot to gain from providing flexible work arrangements (part-time work, job share etc) to mothers who return to the workforce, 100 Mums explains.

Flexible working arrangements help organisations compete in the highly competitive labour force.
A recent productivity study by Ernst & Young also found that $1.4 billion dollars could be saved through employing productive females in flexible roles due to their better productivity rates in the workplace, i.e these women waste less time then other employees during a typical working day.
Better motivation among staff.
Increased loyalty among all staff.
Greater retention of staff generally and a greater retention of staff after maternity leave.
An overall stronger financial result for all stakeholders.
Greater flexibility can reduce the burden on childcare places.
Flexible workplace solutions such as job share enable the company to tap into two experienced minds for the price of one, and greater output due to the job sharers motivating each other and sharing best practice.
If a company offers a part-time role, they can gain access to a higher level and more experienced resource, all within budget.

As women, we can make a massive difference to the economy of Australia if we utilise the skills and education we have gained to achieve business growth, economic growth and provide role modelling to our children.

Of course, nobody is saying that all mothers need to go back to work and there is nothing wrong with taking off the childhood years and beyond to nurture your family and children if you can afford to, but there’s no denying that returning to work will not just put money in your pocket, but also help the Australian economy.

Do you work outside of the home? Are you thinking of returning to work?

By: Lana Hirschowitz

First published: 16th June 2014

Source: Kidspot