One night, after a long day of work and motherhood, I found myself doom scrolling Instagram. Amid the sea of memes and influencer posts, a reel stopped me. It featured Bruce Arians, former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making a powerful statement: 

"If you miss a ballgame, a recital, or anything to do with your children, I'll fire you."

This struck a chord with me, not only because it is incredibly powerful to have a leader who encourages being present with your family but also because the narrative is beginning to shift for working parents. It is now acceptable to say that being present for my children is not just a nice-to-have but a necessity.

As a mom of two kids under three, here's what I believe all working moms need from their employers:

1. Flexibility
   Life is unpredictable. Sometimes, you need to step away for a doctor's appointment, a recital, or because your childcare falls through. At PointNorth, I’ve been able to step away for all my children’s well check visits and not have to worry about my job when I need to take an unexpected sick day for my children. The freedom to manage your schedule is essential for maintaining both personal and professional responsibilities.

2. Trust
   Trust from your manager is crucial. When you have the flexibility to attend to family needs, it’s important that your employer believes in your ability to meet deadlines and maintain the quality of your work. According to a report by Gallup, employees who feel trusted by their managers are 50% more likely to stay with their employer and perform at a higher level.

3. Fulfilling Work
   To justify spending time away from your family, your work needs to be meaningful and fulfilling. Part of that is also enjoying the people you work with and feeling that your work contributes to a greater purpose.

4. Leadership that Values Family
   A supportive manager or leader can make a world of difference. Leadership that values family life can foster a more inclusive and understanding workplace. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 62% of employees believe that having a supportive manager significantly improves their job satisfaction and productivity.

5. Fair Compensation
   Childcare is a substantial expense, and compensation should reflect that reality. Fair wages and benefits that help cover childcare costs are essential to feeling valued and supported.

Ultimately, the goal is to find a workplace that allows you to excel as both a mom and an employee. Employers who support their working parents by offering flexibility, trust, fulfilling work, family-valuing leadership, and fair compensation are not only contributing to their employees’ well-being but also fostering a more loyal and productive workforce.

I’m so grateful to have found that at PointNorth – and, I’d encourage you to think about ways you can bring a little more of any one of these elements into your workplace. I guarantee you the moms on your team will be grateful!