In a recent episode of the Jobs for Women podcast, host Zoe Haydn Jones welcomed Jess Heagren, CEO of Careers After Babies. The conversation was a profound dive into the challenges and triumphs faced by working mothers, illuminated by Jess’s personal experiences and her organization’s initiatives.
Key Quotes and Stats:
- Jess on Maternity Policies: Jess emphasised the importance of accessible and transparent maternity policies, stating, “You should be able to have access to those before you join an organisation.”
- Addressing Career Changes Post-Pregnancy: Jess shared alarming statistics from a survey she conducted, revealing the harsh reality many women face: “Within two weeks, I had more than 800 women come back and say this is my story.”
- On Starting Careers After Babies: Jess described the genesis of her organisation as a response to the need for family-friendly employers, saying, “Careers after babies is all about making really family-friendly employers, and we’re doing that through our accreditation process.”
Key Takeaways:
- The Need for Transparency in Workplace Policies: Jess highlighted the importance of companies being upfront about their maternity and flexible working policies, advocating for these to be known before even joining an organisation.
- Impact of Motherhood on Careers: The podcast shed light on the significant number of women who are compelled to change their careers post-pregnancy due to inadequate workplace accommodations.
- Empowering Employers and Employees: Careers After Babies is pioneering a movement to create a cohort of employers who are thoroughly supportive of working parents, setting a new standard in the corporate world.
- Jess’s journey from facing personal challenges as a working mother to spearheading an initiative that advocates for better workplace policies is both inspiring and a call to action. Her insights on the podcast offer valuable lessons for both employers and employees about the importance of supportive work environments, especially for parents returning from maternity leave.
Connect with Jess on LinkedIn
Access the Careers After Babies Report here.
Find out more about the Careers After Babies Accreditation here.
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