Moms are the ‘Chief Household Officers’ in most families. And the fraught global economy impacts everything from our financial wellbeing and careers to our healthcare, school districts and communities. Typically, ‘big picture’ problems feel too amorphous to do anything about, other than worry. And in the past 5 years, feeling trapped by stressors we’re powerless to change, has been a recurring theme and threat to mental health.
However, this time, it’s different. With a looming recession, the consumer becomes Queen and guess who buys or influences around 85% of consumer goods? Women are not only the arbiters of most healthcare, household and childcare decisions, we also control the overwhelming majority of consumer spending. Which means the economic recovery literally rests within our collective pocketbooks.
Instead of focusing on the very real challenges with public policies, think about how to use your power in this moment, to shift the trajectory of corporate workplace policies.
How to Make Real Change, In the Current Climate
We haven’t made traction at the ballot box for critical family policies, like protected paid leave, increased childcare tax credits or universal PreK. In part because women are still underrepresented in leadership in corporate and public sectors, and lack critical supports at work. We can, however, use our influence to make faster progress within corporate America.
Measurement Matters to Mothers
Over 40% of moms pause or exit their careers altogether for caregiving and it’s not a secret that work hasn’t really ‘worked’ for moms. Or that traditional industries aren’t female- or family- friendly. It’s also true that diversity, equity and inclusion programs haven’t “fixed” the leadership or pay gaps for women.
According to Pew Research, the gender pay gap in the US has improved a little bit in the past 20+ years. With half of survey respondents citing, “women are treated differently by employers” and more than 40% saying, “women tend to make different choices about balancing work and family.” Although it has been much too slow, there has been progress. Especially workplace parenting support.
Without DEI, Who’s Watching the Store?
To date, women have been the largest beneficiaries of DEI programs, albeit not women of color or those with disabilities. Typically DEI departments within Human Resources advocate and pay for increases to parent and caregiver benefits. Like breastmilk shipping, specialized fertility, doulas and postpartum supports. In the swift retreat from all things DEI we risk losing the fragile gains moms have made.
Companies are not directly incentivized to be equitable so, it needs to be measured. History shows that when it’s not, people aren’t paid, promoted or treated fairly. Especially not women people, and it’s even worse for women of color, disabled or LGBTQ+ women. The numbers dwindle in the most senior roles or on corporate boards and let’s not forget pregnant and caregiving women, despite legal protections, still lose jobs, promotions, and benefits at higher rates.
You Can Align Your Actions with Your Values
The same companies that have pulled back from their commitments to be diverse, equitable and inclusive places to work for moms and other members of marginalized groups, actively target our spending for everything from groceries and diapers to makeup and litter boxes. Despite constant pressure to ‘buy more’ we don’t have to buy from companies that deny our workplace advancement. And we can use our extraordinary spending power to vote for enduring changes with our wallets.
Send a Powerful Signal at a Critical Time
Many media outlets and organizations are actively updating and sharing lists of stores to boycott or support. Many industry leading companies that have honored or increased their commitments to equitable and inclusive workplaces sell the same stuff as the organizations that don’t.
If every mother in America voted with her wallet, consider what the opportunity sphere for women, children and families would look like.
And Protect Your Emotional Peace
Activism and advocacy can take many forms so, you don’t have to protest in the streets unless you’re moved to do so. As a starting point you don’t have to buy your toilet paper, toothpaste and dishwashing liquid from companies that don’t ensure equitable treatment or advancement for moms in their workplaces.
Disrupt the Pattern
Let’s make women powerful everywhere, not just in our kitchens, parent teacher organizations or local playgrounds. We have the ability to change how well mothers are treated in the workplace. Simply by changing how we shop.
Whether you shift to a pro- diversity, equity and inclusion retailer, or buy direct from inclusive manufacturers, it’s positive change. Bonus if you buy from companies owned by women, people of color, those who are disabled or LGBTQ+.
And Change Everything
We’ve lived through a pandemic and if you can adapt, how you live, work, care for family, almost overnight, you can revisit and shift any pattern that no longer serves you.
Moms are creators, connectors and at our core, deeply humanitarian, generous and loving. Let’s use our creativity and power wisely to finally put the needs of women and families at the center of how organizations hire, fire, protect and promote the workforce.
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🎁 Enjoy the gift of more time for you. Learn about self-care support memberships for Moms.
⏱️ Ready to put yourself back onto your to-do list? Take a TimeCheck®.
🙋🏽♀️ Shared your story yet? Take our quick survey to change how workplaces support parents.
⚖️ Employers, ready to rewrite hidden workplace rules? Learn how we help employers retain moms.
