Revised Work Schedule Contributes to Challenging the Conventional "Working Supermom" Stereotype
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During the pandemic, working mothers in the advertising industry faced a multitude of challenges, as they navigated the unique demands of balancing caregiving and careers in an industry notorious for its inflexibility.
The writer, a parent themselves, was no stranger to the high demands of the pandemic. Along with their husband, they were both working full time while caring for a toddler. The family found themselves in an "awful in-between period," hopeful that the pandemic would not last much longer.
However, the pandemic exacerbated existing issues for working mothers in the advertising industry. Return-to-office mandates, reduced career advancement and feedback, childcare burdens and affordability, economic pressures and wage sensitivity, lack of paid family leave, and gender bias and workplace culture all contributed to a challenging work environment.
In the midst of this, the writer experienced a low point when their toddler ate deconstructed granite during a work-in-progress patio construction. This incident served as a stark reminder of the pressures faced by working mothers during the pandemic.
Despite these challenges, the corporate world was universally experiencing difficulties. The advertising industry was no exception, presenting a particularly challenging time for working mothers. Punishments and a lack of accommodations were common, making it even harder for mothers to maintain their careers.
The pandemic, two months old at the time, exposed and intensified structural barriers for working mothers in advertising. These challenges have driven a notable exodus of mothers from the workforce or pushed them into less visible roles, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable flexibility and inclusive workplace cultures.
[1] Working Mother Research Institute [2] Advertising Age [3] Harvard Business Review [4] The Atlantic [5] Forbes
- The writer, a parent themselves, found the need for science-based solutions in workplace wellness and health-and-wellness crucial for reducing stress and improving productivity in the advertising industry, particularly for working mothers.
- As parents and professionals, the writer advocates for lifestyle changes and policies that prioritize parenting and family life, hoping that such changes will create a more supportive and inclusive workplace environment in the long run.
