Tag Archives: working mom

Celebrating Mothers in the Workplace

Mother’s Day will be celebrated this Sunday, May 8. In light of the annual celebration, we’d like to take a moment to recognize the influence of mothers not only at home, but also in the workplace. We’ll take a look at the dual roles women play, recap results from a survey of working moms, and cover some basic statistics around this topic.

A Shift in the Workplace
Currently about 70% of women with children under the age of 18 participate in the workforce in the United States, according to the United States Department of Labor. Additionally, Ancestry.com suggests this is an enormous 800% increase since 1860, when only 7.5% of mothers were in the workforce. The shift in working mom numbers really started happening in the 1940s, and especially the 1960s with the women’s rights movement.

Working Moms Surveyed
Express Employment Professionals recently released a survey revealing the attitudes of working moms. When mothers were asked if they would work even if they didn’t have to, a resounding 62% said “yes.” For some, working isn’t a choice, but rather a necessity. And, as this survey found, this reality has prompted more businesses to offer benefits to working parents. For example, two-thirds of those surveyed said they permit working moms and dads to take advantage of flexible hours.

A Wearer of Many Hats
As the number of moms in the workforce continues to rise, working mothers balance work and family every single day, becoming masters of multitasking. Whether it’s running errands, attending meetings, or carting their kids to events all over town, working moms often go nonstop to take care of their families and succeed in their careers. Managing a hectic schedule and making the most of time at home, working moms are an inspiration and example of determination, ambition, and balance for many.

Here at Movin’ On Up, we salute our associates who are working mothers and wish all of them a happy Mother’s Day!

Are you a working mother? Do you have tips for other working moms? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.

Mother’s Day: A Salute to Working Moms

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, in the United States, and it’s a great day to honor the moms and motherly figures in our lives. We’d like to recognize all working moms by sharing interesting facts, gift ideas, and an in-depth look at the women who make both Mother’s Day and the workplace something to celebrate.

Moms In the Workforce
Finding a job and maintaining a positive work-life balance can be tough. For working moms, it can be even more difficult. Fifty years ago, it wasn’t very common for mothers to be a part of the workforce, but that’s a trend that has changed today. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that 70% of women with children under 18 participate in the labor force. This equates to roughly 31 million working American mothers.

When comparing the years 1961-1965 with years 2006-2008, this change in the labor force becomes even clearer. In the 1960s, only 44% of first-time mothers worked during their pregnancy, while 66% of first-time moms worked during their pregnancies in the 2000s. Additionally, only 17% of women returned to work within a year of their first baby’s birth in the 1960s, compared to 64% who returned to work in the 2000s.

Furthermore, in the 1960s, only 11% of working mothers were the sole or primary breadwinner for their families, compared to 40% of women today.

The Value of Mom’s Time
Many mothers take care of household tasks while also maintaining full- or part-time jobs. These tasks include cooking, cleaning, managing family finances, chauffeuring, and shopping. According to the Insure.com 2014 Mother’s Day Index, tasks that moms perform at home would be worth nearly $63,000 a year in the professional world.

Saying Thank You
According to CNN, 141 million Mother’s Day cards are exchanged every year in the United States, and more people purchase fresh flowers and plants on this day than any other holiday, except for Christmas. In fact, Mother’s Day accounts for one-fourth of all holiday sales of flowers and plants.

According to Insure.com, a card or flowers will be appreciated on Mother’s Day. But, what do moms really want? A 2014 survey of mothers revealed that the top picks for Mother’s Day gifts include a day at the spa, a family getaway, a nice dinner, chocolates, breakfast in bed, and handmade gifts from their children.

Here at Movin’ On Up, we salute our associates who are working mothers and wish all of them a happy Mother’s Day!

Are you a working mother? How do you find a balance between your work and home life? Share your tips in the comments section below!

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Movin’ On Up is brought to you by Express Employment Professionals.