Tag: working mothers

breastfeeding

Ask the Expert: How Often Can Nursing Employees Take Breaks Under the PUMP Act?

Question: How frequently can a nursing mother take breaks under the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP) Act? For example, although the law requires “reasonable break time,” what if an employee needs to pump every 30 minutes or every hour? Answer: It depends. The PUMP Act requires employers to provide covered employees “reasonable break […]

Overcoming the Motherhood Penalty with Innovative Benefit Design

It’s well established that working mothers experience the ‘motherhood penalty’ including workplace disadvantages around pay, advancement, and benefits. While one company cannot change this for all working mothers, it’s the responsibility of leaders to make their organizations a place where women want to work and will feel supported, elevated and appreciated. Companies must build company […]

HR Query: Staying Compliant with PUMP and PWFA

Two new laws strengthen protections for pregnant and nursing employees in the workplace: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP). In this week’s HR Query, we’re highlighting what you need to know to make sure organizations stay compliant. The PWFA took effect June 27, 2023, […]

What Serena Williams’ Retirement Can Teach Employers about Retaining Working Mothers

On August 9, 2022, Serena Williams, the undeniable G.O.A.T., said “Farewell to Tennis On Her Own Terms—And in Her Own Words,” in an emotionally riveting article for Vogue magazine. In the article, Serena recounts a precious story of her five-year old daughter, Olympia, being asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Olympia, […]

To All Working Moms, Happy Mother’s Day 2022

To all our readers, friends, and colleagues, Happy Mother’s Day! “Working mothers are essential to our country’s economic future and competitiveness,” says Jill Koziol, co-founder and CEO of Motherly. According to the annual State of Motherhood Study, 48% of mothers are dissatisfied with their employer’s lack of flexibility and paid time off—the number one reason […]

How Employers Can Help Women Regain Ground Lost During Pandemic

Vaccinations are available, and states have been reopening, but the number of women in the workforce has fallen to historic lows because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As employees begin returning to the office, employers should be thinking about how to reshape their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts to attract and retain women workers.

To Return to Work or Not: For Women, That Is the Question

I’ve gotten used to putting my son down for his 12:30 nap, and so has he. Like so many working mothers, I’ve been home since March 2020, adapting to doing my job remotely while making discoveries and choices in my personal life I didn’t know were possible when I was in an office. Now, my […]

mother

5 Ways to Help Working Mothers Advance Their Careers

HR responsibilities can be more complex than just offering good benefits or a welcoming and supportive office culture. For instance, how can you support working mothers in building their careers as they also raise children?