3 benefit must-haves for every working mom

Published 2 Min Read

Mom holding daughter on lap, smiling and working on laptop computer
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It’s almost Mother’s Day, and employers should take the opportunity to both appreciate the dedication of working moms (and dads), and  make sure their parental benefits are working equally as hard. 

Nearly 70% of U.S. families with children under 18 included a working mother, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS). But balancing work with family is a big challenge, and companies that don’t offer a parent-friendly culture and benefits package are at risk of losing this valuable talent. Pew Research found that mothers are more likely than fathers to make decisions that have adverse effects on their careers, such as cutting back or leaving work altogether, when the combination of parenting and employment becomes too much to manage. 

As of 2023, only 27% of U.S. workers had access to paid family leave, according to the BLS. Meanwhile, research has shown that companies who do have these policies see a 10-15% average increase in retention, as well as increased engagement. Employers should make this benefit for new parents a foundational part of their offerings, and round it out with things like a gradual return-to-work plan so that mothers especially feel supported both while they are out and as they come back from leave, Wheeler says. 

“Parental leave is an important benefit, not only for moms but for dads,” Wheeler says. “Having the ability to take that time to be with a new child, while it has gotten more traction, is still not where it needs to be in this country.” 

Lee Hafner
Editor

Lee joined the EBN team in 2022, and covers areas including caregiving, employee health and wellness, healthcare innovation, and company culture. She created EBN's popular Benefits in Action and … Read full bio


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