New moms sound off on leaving workforce instead of returning to office

While many companies have been — publicly, at least — advertising their mom-friendly atmospheres, a new report shows that when it comes to actual postpartum treatment, workplaces aren’t doing enough.

In a survey conducted over the summer by Moms First, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women’s economic freedom, and the consulting firm APCO Worldwide, 1,000 moms reported varying negative feelings in regard to returning to their jobs after giving birth. For starters, 1 in 3 moms said they have considered, or are considering, leaving the workforce entirely.

The survey further shows that companies should not view female-promoting workplaces as merely a positive but as an “economic imperative.”

Women reported that they started experiencing workplace concerns immediately after learning that they were expecting. This was not only in regard to the amount of time they’d be permitted for parental leave, but also showcased concerns about child care thereafter and about their own feelings in returning to work — especially while their children are still young.

“It’s not surprising that the overwhelming majority of moms dread returning to work after caregiving. What is surprising is that employers are still not doing enough to step up and fix it,” Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Moms First, said in a news release.

“Investing in moms is an economic imperative. Employers have the opportunity to change this, and when they do, they will be rewarded with loyalty from top talent: moms.”

While 1 in 3 considered leaving their workplace, 3 of 4 said they felt that their workplaces could be doing more to support working parents with young children. Moms also felt somewhat supported by their managers. However, they noted that company leadership seldom sets examples that could help improve the overall culture.

In addition to exploring new opportunities — including those that provide more opportunities for remote work — moms noted some tangible benefits that would be ideal.

The benefits they mentioned included on-site child care and a transition period after leave that would allow for a part-time schedule.