Better Together’s Post

“A study of the hourly earnings of mothers and fathers, released on International Women’s Day, found that on average mothers earned 24% less an hour than fathers in 2023 – a “motherhood pay penalty” of £4.44 an hour. The analysis – which compares ONS data from January to March 2023 with the same period in 2020 – found that the median hourly pay was £18.48 for fathers compared with £14.04 for mothers.” #GenderPayGap #Inclusion #Diversity https://lnkd.in/eyahdwar

During the pandemic, a staggering 13.5 million women lost their jobs, highlighting a widespread issue. Even in remote work, women are balancing caregiving and homemaking alongside their jobs. Author Reshma Saujani emphasizes ongoing efforts for change, advocating for expanded childcare options and paid leave provisions to bridge the gap. Key Takeaways: -Banning childcare duties during remote work isn't a fix. -Forward-thinking businesses can help by subsidizing childcare and offering flexibility. Let's build a fairer, more inclusive workforce together. #GenderEquality #EmpowerWomen #WorkforceDiversity

A 2010 study in Sweden showed that a mothers income increased 7% over for years for each additional month their partner took after having a child. That’s pretty significant. And it’s part of an abundance of literature showing shared parental leave is a win for everyone—kids, mums, dads, businesses, and nations. Today is Workplace Gender Equality Agency Equal Pay Day, which marks the 50 extra days (since the start of new financial year) that women would have to work to close the gender pay gap. Greater sharing of care responsibilities isn’t a silver bullet for the pay gap. But care responsibilities do play a big role and spreading them more evenly is a goal worth aiming for. It’s also an area where we can make substantial gains quite quickly. So what is to be done? Two important steps: -         Shifting employers to offer leave universally (rather than having a primary/secondary carer distinction) -         Actively encouraging men to make the most of the leave that’s available to them. WGEA reports that 63% of Australian employers offer paid parental leave but only a third of those employers offer it universally. And men currently take 14% of all employer-funded parental leave nationally. Reducing those gaps would make a huge impact across two-thirds of the national economy. Sure, making the offering and using of universal leave a norm isn’t easy. Luckily it doesn’t require a long, drawn-out national debate and culture war to get started. We don’t need a new policy framework or a giant bucket of money to make it happen. That’s rare in public policy terms. I’m so glad that at Cbus Super Fund I’ve been able to take substantial periods of leave with both of our kids. It’s been a huge positive for our family and our life would be very different if we didn’t have that opportunity. Every parent should have that opportunity.  

📉💰The Motherhood Penalty Deepens in the UK 🚨 New study shows worrying trends in UK's pay gap. On International Women's Day, a released study highlighted that mothers earned a staggering 24% less per hour than fathers in 2023 - £4.44. ⏰ This gap has widened by almost £1 since 2020, indicating a worsening situation. The rise in childcare costs and inflation only worsens the challenge for women striving to balance work and family life. [See #TheGuardian piece below] 💡 In the workplace, it's important to address these issues head-on. By putting in place policies that support working mothers, ensuring fair compensation and opportunities for all. For more on how to make this happen in your organisation, do get in touch with us at info@rq-consult.com. #GenderEquality  #DiversityandInclusion  #MotherhoodPenalty  #UKWorkforce

Did you know the 'motherhood penalty' affects more than just the paychecks of working moms? 🤱💼 New research from Columbia highlights the steep price of motherhood on women's careers, showing that incomes are slashed by half on average post-childhood, impacting the overall gender pay gap in the US. This study, one of the most comprehensive of its kind, analyzed two decades of data from hundreds of thousands of families, revealing the long-term financial impact on working mothers. Let's talk about solutions and support systems for our hardworking Latina professionals and all mothers in the workforce. #LatinaProfessionals #MotherhoodPenalty #GenderPayGap #WorkforceEquality

Interesting read about the need for parental leave and subsidized universal childcare

A sobering stat for International Women's Day. "A study of the hourly earnings of mothers and fathers found that on average mothers earned 24% less an hour than fathers in 2023 – a “motherhood pay penalty” of £4.44 an hour. The analysis – which compares ONS data from January to March 2023 with the same period in 2020 – found that the median hourly pay was £18.48 for fathers compared with £14.04 for mothers." Clearly there is much more to be done in closing the gender pay gap, and despite some positive moves in recent years, the fact that progress seems to have stalled at such a point is a real concern. https://lnkd.in/evxwyYjG #IWD2024 #GenderPayGap

“Working mothers are the most educated cohort in today’s workforce. It is imperative for companies and for our economy that we figure out how to keep educated women working in the workforce once they enter motherhood. Notably, this year’s State of Motherhood survey reveals that nearly 50% of today’s working mothers are the primary breadwinner in their family earning 50% or more of their household income. Without addressing issues like the motherhood penalty, affordable childcare, parental leave, and creating flexible work options that enable working mothers to integrate their work and mothering responsibilities, The Great Resignation will undoubtedly continue, which will drive down the competitiveness of the United States. “

Picture this: A more equitable workplace where the gender pay gap is not just a topic of heated debates but a relic of the past. It may surprise you that a key means of helping to redress this imbalance lies in improving paternity leave. Yes, you read that right. While discussions around closing the gender pay gap often centre on women (and for good reason!) —equal pay, maternity leave, and flexible working hours—we overlook a potent solution lying in plain sight: improving access to paternity leave so that fathers can be supported to be active, engaged parents, right from Day One! But equal parenting is key to gender equality, with around 80% of the gender pay gap attributed to the motherhood penalty. So, supporting dads to be equal and active parents from the start is key to outcomes for women, men, and children. When fathers take paternity leave, it disrupts the traditional gender roles that pigeonhole women as primary caregivers. It challenges the archaic notion that men should always be the breadwinners. This shift not only supports women’s return to work but also encourages a more equitable division of domestic responsibilities. The result? A smoother transition for women back into the workforce, potentially narrowing the gender pay gap. But the benefits don’t stop there. Fathers who take paternity leave report stronger bonds with their children, better mental health, and more equitable relationships. It’s a win-win. As we move towards a General Election in the UK, and you have advocates and candidates from all parties come knocking at your door asking you what would make a difference to you, ask them about their views on paternity and parental leave, the motherhood penalty and childcare reform!

The Number ONE Thing Women Wish They Knew Before Getting Married As a working mother of two boys, I've experienced firsthand the difference an equitable partnership can make. Recently, I asked 60k women what they wish they'd known before getting married. I received over 250 responses. The overwhelming top response? The critical importance of discussing the division of labor and mental load before tying the knot. Unfortunately, the stats on domestic labor and childcare are reflective of what happens when the division of labor and childcare is not equitable: - 9.8 million working mothers suffer from burnout, with even higher rates for women of color. - Women do about 2.6 times more household work and childcare than men. - 1 in 3 working mothers considered downshifting their careers or leaving their jobs during the pandemic. - The "motherhood penalty" costs women an average of $16,000 in annual wages. These numbers are staggering, but they don't surprise me. After the birth of our first son, my husband and I initially fell into traditional gender roles. I found myself drowning in the mental load, constantly anticipating needs, making decisions, and monitoring results for our household. After weeks of tears and arguing, we finally sat down and discussed how to move forward. We discussed the division of labor and mental load, and it brought to light the glaring inequities. These conversations continue to this day as our lives, work, and kids are always evolving. The result? I've reclaimed time for personal hobbies, I was able to start my own business, and it has allowed me to find fulfillment outside of work and motherhood. It’s important that we tell young women about these inequities that they are likely to experience after marriage and children. Explain that they need to discuss how to divide household responsibilities, childcare duties, and the invisible mental load. It's not just about fairness; it's about creating a sustainable, fulfilling life for both partners. And to the working moms carrying an unfair burden: You're not alone. It's okay to expect more participation from your partner, to demand equity, and to prioritize your well-being. Your career, your mental health, and your personal fulfillment matter. What's your experience with division of labor in your household? Let's start a conversation and support each other in creating more equitable partnerships. #workingmoms  #genderequality #worklifebalance #mentalload #equitablepartnerships