The Pandemic Transformed Work for a Generation of Moms

Career Choices
Is Quitting the Key to Achieving a Better Work/Life Balance? Working mothers can no longer wait for fair treatment from employers; they’re taking matters into their own hands.

By Mandi Woodruff-Santos
March 8, 2022

Mom Life

It’s been over a year since Emma Carter made the decision to leave her long-standing position as a radiology technologist, and she vividly recalls the moment she reached her breaking point. Working in a skeletal crew to keep up with patient demands from the hospital’s level one trauma E.R., Emma and her colleagues faced mandatory overtime due to staff shortages caused by the pandemic. “Management would portray a supportive environment for working moms, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Emma reflects.

During Mother’s Day weekend, she encountered a heartbreaking situation involving two children who were victims of abuse. The thought of her own kids, who were the same ages, led her to step away from her duties for the first time in her career to have a moment of silence. “That weekend I knew I had to leave,” she says. “It completely shattered me.”

Through a colleague, she discovered a new position that would shift her from daily radiology duties to training staff. She quickly applied, recognizing that although it was a lateral move with minimal pay increase, she needed the flexibility to care for her children. Thanks to her husband, who took on the role of primary caregiver, Emma was able to maintain her work commitments.

Moms Strive for Flexibility

Many women exited the workforce during the pandemic’s first two years, with the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealing a deficit of 1.1 million women in the labor force. Unlike men, who have fully regained their jobs since February 2020, many working moms, like Emma, are now prioritizing roles that offer flexible hours, even declining high-paying opportunities.

“Before this new job, I was applying for a managerial position that I knew I could excel in,” Emma shares. “But I took my application out because I just couldn’t manage it; my kids are still too young.” She is far from alone. A 2021 McKinsey survey found that one in three working mothers considered scaling back their careers or leaving altogether.

Desire for Remote Work

Similarly, Olivia Smith faced challenges in her role as a bioinformatics scientist at a Texas university, where remote work was not an option. With her 16-month-old son needing unexpected time off from daycare due to strict COVID-19 protocols, Olivia often found herself sacrificing her work days to care for him. “The expectation is always on the mom,” Olivia notes.

Eventually, she learned to ask her husband to take time off instead, navigating the uncomfortable conversations that came with it. Alongside her husband’s support, Olivia yearned for a job that would allow her remote work flexibility. After researching data analysis roles that could be performed from home, she enlisted the help of a career coach and applied for new positions. Within months, she received three job offers, ultimately choosing one that more than doubled her salary and allowed her to work entirely from home.

With her new role starting in early March, Olivia looks forward to having the financial means to introduce some conveniences into her life, like establishing a regular housekeeping schedule and enjoying takeout meals more frequently.

The New Normal for Working Moms

While the pandemic has undeniably impacted working mothers, the struggle for support in the workplace predates COVID-19. The gender wage gap and the absence of mandatory paid parental leave have long inhibited women’s earning potential, compounded by societal expectations that domestic responsibilities fall primarily on their shoulders.

The controversial Build Back Better Plan, which aimed to provide universal benefits like paid parental leave, did not gain Congressional support last year. Whether employers will take the initiative to create more accommodating environments for working parents remains uncertain. Many moms, like Emma and Olivia, realize they cannot afford to wait for change.

For more insights on how the pandemic has reshaped motherhood and careers, consider reading this related post. Moreover, if you’re exploring home insemination options, check out this resource on artificial insemination kits. For a deeper understanding of fertility and assisted reproduction, take a look at this informative article.

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Summary:

The pandemic has profoundly altered the work landscape for many mothers, prompting them to prioritize flexible jobs over traditional roles. As they navigate childcare responsibilities and career aspirations, many are seeking new opportunities that better align with their needs. With ongoing challenges such as the gender wage gap and lack of parental leave, working moms are increasingly unwilling to wait for systemic changes and are taking proactive steps to reclaim their work-life balance.