Mothers returning to work after maternity leave often find themselves placed on the mommy track, with less pay and no longer considered for new and exciting projects
Besides feeling guilty about going back to the job after having children, working mothers face the prospect of being put on the mommy track. The mommy track is the career path that many women find themselves on after enjoying even the briefest maternity leave. Mommy-tracked women are more likely to be left off the “hot projects” at work, to receive lower pay, and to generally feel snubbed by their busy, career-oriented counterparts…male or female.
Stay Off The Mommy Track
In a September 15, 2007 Colorado Springs personal interview, Holly*, a 30-year old new mother, states that she looked forward to returning to her career as an associate for a large consulting firm in 2006. Though Holly’s company spends each year on the ‘Best Companies for Working Mothers’ list, and her office sports a comfortable mother’s room, Holly was surprised to find that even she had been mommy-tracked upon her return to work.
“I wasn’t considered for lead positions once I came back from maternity leave,” Holly reports. She had taken four months off, two more months than the company’s short-term disability provided. Two years later, Holly is about to give birth a second time. “I fear that I may never be seen as the go-getter I used to be,” she says. “My bosses assume that I am more interested in my children and less interested in my career.”
Many new mothers find themselves facing the same conflict that Holly did, and of course, many are more interested in their children. A large of these mothers must continue to work for financial reasons, and it is important to ensure that their careers are not endangered by perceptions.
Lessen the Impact of the Mommy Track
There are steps that can be taken to lessen the impact of the mommy track. Women should be crystal clear with their plans regarding maternity leave, providing a detailed leave plan to the management, including the planned date of return. Mothers-to-be that are planning to be take leave should ensure that outstanding projects and clients are properly transitioned.
Don’t be the new mom that has to leave work early three times a week due to daycare problems. Sometimes this can’t be avoided. Children get sick. Day care centers close early due to weather, pinkeye outbreaks, or for other reasons. New mothers should develop a backup plan in the event a daycare snafu occurs. Enlist a fellow parent, friend, or relative to assist you in times of need. Ensure this person is on the daycare “safe list,” otherwise the center should not let your child leave with them.
Stay Active with Career Communication
Possibly the most important step working mothers can take to avoid the mommy track is to keep the lines of communications open. An e-mail or a short phone call to the boss, the client, or other important people in the career network can be the life support that is needed to a career put on short hold. Though maternity leave should be a time spent only on recovery and bonding with a new baby, the truth is women should take the time to connect with work contacts, even if only briefly. Communication reminds everyone else that you are still in the game. As working mothers know, every bit of support counts.
Read Mothers on the Fast Track, a book about balancing careers with children.
*Name changed by request
