BenefitBump Employee Experience Survey
This study aims to gauge the experience of working mothers in 2021. Citing the experience of over 550 working moms across the income spectrum and U.S., this reports aims to identify trends so that employers can problem-solve for a holistically well workforce, creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces.
6 Trends Identified:
1. 79% of respondents said that securing childcare was slightly difficult or difficult
“It took me 7 months to find a good childcare option.”
“The childcare resource available through my employer was dismal.”
2. 64% of respondents had difficulty determining and applying for leave/pay replacement
“Navigating and applying for my short term disability was complicated and confusing.”
“[My employer could have] explained policies better… it was very difficult to figure out.”
“It would be nice if there was a list put out by HR somewhere of all the things that needed to be done.”
3. 57% of respondents had difficulty with breastfeeding when they returned to work
“[My employer] could have done anything to support me…. (such as) accommodating pumping time. I felt totally abandoned by my employer, a large healthcare organization that should know and do better.”
“You had to pump in an empty office while others were pumping too, there was no privacy.”
“Zero support at work is the reason my first son didn’t get breast milk for a year. I couldn’t take the pressure and the guilt anymore.”
4. 26% of respondents switched employers (with another 10% leaving the workforce)
For employees leaving their employer, 34% stated that it was due to poor support from their manager and 62% due to work/life balance
“My first employer was not flexible in accommodating a new ‘family friendly’ work schedule. So I quit.”
“If my employer had been more supportive, I probably would have stayed with the company.”
“If I could have transitioned to part-time, I would have stayed. Because it was all or nothing, I left.”
5. 85% of respondents shared that they experienced high stress during their pregnancy and post-delivery
“I was bombarded with work upon return to the point where my workload had doubled and I ended up battling Post-Partum Depression, which was exasperated by my work level and stress with my first and third children.”
“I was expected to hurry up and return without any kind of transition period, simply jump back in at the same level of engagement, productivity, and presence as pre-baby.”