This is a pretty imperative question considering that 75% of mothers and 92% of fathers with dependent children are in work, according to the ONS (2020). So yes, we really do need to consider how employers can really help parents progress!
First things first I think employers have absolutely got to get their heads around the reality that parenting is an eighteen-year gig that affects men, women, adoptive and biological parents, parents with new-borns and teenagers. I am not just talking about women coming back from maternity leave here.
I am quite old school and I feel progression comes from hard work, commitment and tenacity. However, I know, as a parent myself, that if I am to demonstrate all these qualities then I really need to feel my employer has my back and understands that as desperately important as my job is to me, I am a mum primarily and ultimately that will always come first. However, that said I passionately feel that with an employer who understands and supports you then parenthood should be no barrier to progression.
So back to the ‘How’ of all of this. Well, I am a simple soul and as such I feel this shouldn’t be a complicated issue. How about …
Recognise the parents in your business – simply acknowledge that as a business you are so aware that they have huge responsibilities and commitments outside of their job.
Keep talking to each other – without doubt one of the best ways to support your employee is to talk to them directly to find out their needs. It is all too easy to assume that employees want a certain thing, but everyone is different and family needs are different too. It may be that from listening to your employees you can simply tweak an existing arrangement or find a solution that works for everyone and consequently assists them to demonstrate the already mentioned hard work, commitment and tenacity!
Facilitate flexible work schedules – I am conscious that post pandemic this is hardly a revolutionary headline, but it goes back to the fact that if you can allow parents to work to a pattern that works for them, then you will in turn facilitate the tenacity, hard work … yeah you get the theme I am going with!
You know what I feel so strongly, it’s vital that employers are enabling and empowering their working parents. After all, as a parent, your ability to manage your time, multitask and prioritise is second to none. I can honestly say that I am a lot more efficient, constructive, and tenacious now as a parent than I ever was beforehand. Put bluntly, I don’t have time to waste, and I think the majority of working parents would agree. So let’s keep talking to each other about what we need .. employers and employees. If we can both will go from strength to strength!
By Jo Hood, Principal Consultant for Eventus Finance at Eventus Recruitment Cheshire.
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