Flexible=Strategic-Results
We help individuals and businesses navigate complex cases in employment law and commercial litigation.

Climbing the corporate ladder is difficult as a mom

On Behalf of | Mar 27, 2019 | Uncategorized

New York is one of the most expensive places to raise a child in America. After having a kid of your own, you now have even more reasons to seek that promotion at work you’ve had your eyes on for a while. Since you were lucky enough to not be one of the thousands of mothers that got fired simply for being pregnant, you might feel like you have a better chance of getting it.

Unfortunately, discrimination doesn’t stop once you’re done being pregnant. Many mothers who try to seek new positions or get a promotion at their workplace often experience the dreaded “motherhood penalty.” It’s important that you are aware of these unfortunate stereotypes employers and coworkers continue to have towards working mothers to this day.

A massive wage gap

A study by the National Women’s Law Center reveals that mothers on average typically receive only 71 cents compared to every dollar paid to fathers, resulting in up to $16,000 in lost wages annually. Their findings also found significant gaps no matter what their age, race or educational level was.

They found that New York does have the second lowest wage gap of the nation, as the average for mothers is 80 cents. However, this still means there are $12,000 in lost wages here, which does not bode well for the state’s expensive living conditions.

A warped perspective

The child-care provider company Bright Horizons Family Solutions recently conducted a study to see how American employers believe mothers would fare as leaders in the workplace. Their statistics show that over 80 percent of American workers believe mothers are more than qualified to take on leadership roles in companies and would benefit the workplace with their unique experiences both at home and at work.

If so many people believe mothers would work well as leaders, then why do so many face discrimination? The report also reveals that 41 percent of employed Americans believe working moms are less devoted to their work and 38 percent judge them for requiring a more flexible schedule.

Too many people believe that a worker’s priorities have shifted away from the company once they give birth. They assume that mothers want to work less so they can spend more time with their kids, but their kids might be one of the reasons they want to work hard. If you believe your company is intentionally holding you back after you have a child, consider contacting a New York employment law attorney to help you fight back against these stereotypes.