Many organizations still face barriers to effectively implementing inclusive policies
The recent case of Miss Acre Carla Cristina, who lost her title and was disqualified from Miss Brasil Mundo for having a daughter, has revived profound questions about motherhood and the job market. Unfortunately, situations like this are still common in several areas of society, highlighting the challenges faced by women who are mothers and want to balance this with their professional careers.
Dismissal after maternity leave
According to research conducted by Fundação Getúlio Vargas, nearly half of women who take maternity leave leave the job market after 24 months, a trend that continues until around 47 months later.
The study showed that, out of 247 thousand mothers analysed, 50% suffered dismissal after approximately two years of taking leave. It is important to note that, according to art Law 14,020, women have the right to job stability from confirmation of pregnancy until 5 months after giving birth.
These data highlight the disparity that exists in the labor market regarding the treatment of women who become mothers compared to men who become fathers. It is essential to highlight that, despite the scenario observed in practice, parental responsibilities must be shared equally and respected by organizations.
Furthermore, there are significant variations when considering the level of education, highlighting another problem: social inequality. Women with a higher education experience a 35% drop in employment after 12 months of leave, while those with a lower level of education experience a 51% drop in employment.
Prejudices beyond motherhood
There are other biases evident in the job market, as shown by the study conducted by Plure, an HRtech human resources company specializing in connecting companies with women. Survey reveals how LGBTQIAP+ women face additional barriers in ascending to senior and management positions. commandhighlighting the lack of inclusion in these spaces.
Taking an intersectional approach to employability analysis, the study shows that 43.79% of LGBTQIAP+ women are unemployed, a higher rate than the overall average of 39.35%. Furthermore, 7.69% of LGBTQIAP+ women interviewed are mothers.
“It is a mistake to think that being a mother reduces a woman’s professional capacity. On the contrary, motherhood brings with it a series of valuable skills, such as organisation, resilience and the ability to multitask, which are extremely relevant in the business environment ” , underlines the CEO of Plure, Jhenyffer Coutinho.
Diversity still needs to be encouraged more
Despite talk of the importance of diversity, many organizations still face obstacles to effectively implementing inclusive policies. Diversity is seen as a driver of innovation and problem solving, but many companies need to adjust their recruiting practices and overcome challenges such as unconscious bias and resistance to change.
“Effectively adapting to this trend is not just a matter of compliance, but an essential strategy to ensure long-term competitiveness and success in today’s diverse and globalized business world,” emphasizes Plure’s CEO.
Difficulties of caring mothers
Another research that attracts attention is the ‘Caring for those who care’ study produced by Genial Care, which shows that 86% of caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are mothers, highlighting those primarily responsible for understanding and caring for children. autistic children.
Many of them end up abandoning their personal and professional projects to dedicate themselves completely to their children with ASD. In other cases, they have to face a double shift, balancing work and caring for their children.
“Caring for a child with a disability is a difficult task, especially due to society’s misinformation. Furthermore, many women care for their children alone or with little support, which can lead to burnt maternal and depression. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the importance of the caregiver having a support network”, warns the Clinical Leader of the Genial Care Academy, the training model of the Genial Care therapeutic team, Mariana Tonetto.
Inclusive policies for better opportunities
It is important to recognize the mental and emotional impact mothers face when they encounter obstacles in balancing their family and professional responsibilities. “The pressure to adapt to unattainable standards of productivity and availability often translates into stress, anxiety and feelings of inadequacy”, comments the psychoanalyst and president of Ipefem (Research Institute for Studies on Women and Multiple Existences), Ana Tomazelli .
According to her, mothers who wish to work and contribute to the family should not face sanctions or restrictions due to their parental status. “It is essential that companies and institutions adopt inclusive policies that recognize and value motherhood, guaranteeing equal opportunities and fair treatment to all women, regardless of marital status or parenthood”, she highlights.
The challenges faced by mothers
Below, check out 10 more challenges faced by mothers in the job market and social environments:
1. Discrimination in the workplace
Mothers face discrimination in the workplace due to sexual stereotypes and worries about family commitments.
2. Pay inequality
Women, especially mothers, often receive lower pay than men for the same role, which can be exacerbated after motherhood.
3. Lack of adequate maternity leave
In many countries, maternity leave is inadequate in terms of duration and benefits, which can put additional pressure on mothers to return to work sooner than they would like.
4. Lack of flexibility at work
Mothers face difficulty balancing work demands with family responsibilities due to a lack of flexible work options, such as flexible hours or remote working.
5. Stress and guilt
In some cases, women face fatigue emotional and feels guilty for not being able to adequately reconcile work and family life.
6. Lack of social support
Lack of support from family, friends and community can make the journey to balancing motherhood and work even more challenging.
7. Interrupted career stigma
Women who choose to put on hold or scale back their careers to care for children often face the stigma of a resume gap. Furthermore, they have difficulty advancing their careers when they decide to re-enter the job market.
8. Limited access to professional development opportunities
Due to time and resource constraints, mothers face limited access to training and professional development opportunities, impacting their career progression.
9. Double trip
Many mothers face the challenge of reconciling the responsibilities of paid work with household chores and childcare, thus facing a “double shift”.
10. Judgment and social pressure
Mothers often face judgment and social pressure about their motherhood and career choices, whether they choose to work full-time, part-time or stay at home with their children.
It is essential to encourage frank and positive debate on the challenges faced by mothers at work, with the aim of creating more welcoming and equitable environments for all women. Only in this way will we be able to progress towards a truly inclusive and egalitarian society, in which motherhood does not constitute an obstacle to professional and personal development.
By Letícia Carvalho
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
