Other than maternity/paternity leave and statutory pay, what is being done in your workplace to support employees?
In a world where interest in employee health and wellbeing has grown exponentially it would seem that many employers are still throwing in the odd yoga class, ticking that box and getting on with their day.
It will then come as no surprise that great talent is being lost to businesses due to lack of support when becoming a parent.
Contributing factors
Childcare costs, lack of flexibility, gender stereotypes, overwhelm and guilt all contribute to many parents not returning to work following their parental leave.
For those that do return; burn out, fear of judgement and unrealistic expectations become an all too common theme. In a report from Totaljobs, it was identified that as many as 84 percent of working Mothers experienced challenges returning to the workplace.
Productivity and clarity can be impaired when trying to manage to find the (some may say hypothetical) balance between work and home.
So what if we changed that narrative? What if instead of finding a balance between two separate entities we identified that they each impact each other and so open honest conversations around how to best support the individual in their workplace as well as at home.
Maternal Mental Health issues can cause impaired clarity, fatigue, loss of identity, lack of significance, feelings of depression, anxiety. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it only applicable to birth Mothers!
However, with a better understanding of navigating one of life’s biggest transitions such as becoming a parent, we can have a positive impact on both families and businesses.
What can employers do?
Implementing practical resources and tools as early as possible may assist families in feeling better prepared for the arrival of a new child, whether that is as birth parents, foster parents, adoptive parents or step parents. Any shift in the dynamic of the household can impact productivity within the workplace.
Instead of cute outfits and the newest gadgets, there is enough information available to know that many parents face challenges with finances, communication and expectations. Employers are in a prime position to actually assist with this.
SIgnposting parents within the organisation to digital resources, webinars, workshops, coaches and therapists specifically attuned to Maternal Mental Health may prevent key members of staff feeling they have to resign from their position due to lack of any alternative working arrangements.
Take a unique approach
There is no magic wand and no one size fits all which is why it is imperative that support be tailored where possible to the individual.
For some this may look like more flexibility in their working hours for an agreed period of time. Others may benefit from having the option to work from home.
Having a directory of resources available to employees that best meet their needs. Not everyone likes to talk where others benefit massively from having a safe space to give oxygen to the challenges they may be facing.
For many, a combination of tools may be best.
Practical support and encouraging simple, sustainable selfcare is all too often overlooked in our ever-evolving and complicated world.
Many are looking for the answers in an ice bath or alternative activity which I am not disputing, but it can mean that in this quest, the power that lies in our every day habits can be disregarded.
There can also be a divide between medical and clinical support and the holistic modalities, again, combining these service providers and utilising best practises for the individual benefit everyone!
Implementing a better future
Whilst we are discussing current legislation it is of course worth mentioning that the very children we are referring to will one day be in the workplace too, so wouldn’t it be great if we could get that ball rolling now for a better future where parents feel more supported and less burned out??
About the author
Nikki Steele Osborne is a Scottish Lassie married to an American guy with a Montenegrin rescue dog and a wee boy with a huge personality. Nikki’s journey to becoming a coach, speaker and course creator has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, relocations, post-partum depression, running her own businesses and navigating the challenges faced with this transient lifestyle. Becoming a mum was Nikki’s catalyst for change and it is her passion and purpose to share all she has learned with you. You can find out more about Nikki’s work at www.thescottishsoulsister.com
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