Workplaces should be designed with mothers in mind
With this year’s International Women’s Day celebrating the theme of gender balance, it serves as a stark reminder of how far we have to go to bring parity into the workplace.
Women make up half of the UK’s labour force with over 74 per cent of Britain’s mums currently in work. However, accommodating new mothers still remains an afterthought in the design of workplaces.
The accessibility and affordability of childcare is a huge burden for mothers returning to work.
In Britain, the average cost of sending a child under two to a part time nursery is around £122 per week – with full-time nurseries, this rises to £232. This figure increases dramatically in and around central London.
But in an already complex transition into motherhood, and with an often-intimidating return to the office after maternity leave, businesses need to do all they can to help new mothers, which means looking at the work environment.
Many design solutions are easily implemented and can make a tangible difference to the experience and happiness of returning mums.
A recent study indicates that even after women have adjusted to motherhood, they can remain sleep deprived for up to six years
Providing spaces of function and beauty is the least we can do for new mothers, who essentially work two full time jobs: one as a professional, and the other as a mother. This isn’t a short-term problem.
A recent study indicates that even after women have adjusted to motherhood, they can remain sleep deprived for up to six years. As such, long-term solutions that are built into the physical environment would help alleviate some of the burden.
The starting point is always to create a sense of inclusivity, and use design to encourage interaction between all staff, not only returning mothers.
By providing spaces that give rise to communal interaction, the return to a “normal” routine for new mums can be eased through the creation of a support network.
And while a support network is vital for returning mothers, creating a space where they can rest and enjoy some downtime is paramount. Downtime, after all, is an elusive concept for working mums.
Office design, of course, can go a step further than physical spaces by integrating wellbeing for new parents into the overall business. Flexibility and work-life balance are two of the most important factors contributing to whether a new mother or father will remain at a company.
Given the constantly rising costs of childcare, in-office facilities that go above and beyond for working mothers would benefit any business.
Understandably, the financial burden that comes with workplace childcare means not all companies can afford it, but even those that cannot can still include flexible work policies that complement a new parent’s busy schedule.
As this year’s International Women’s Day makes gender balance its central theme, we must be more conscious of how our work can impact imparity between men and women.
It’s through creating spaces that allow women to continue to flourish, that we can celebrate their strength and courageousness.