Findings reveal an 'uneven field' faced by women in the workplace
Working mothers in the United States are held to higher standards than fathers, according to a new report that found "parenthood in the workplace is rarely viewed as equal".
Findings from a new FlexJobs report revealed that 50% of employees in the US believe working mothers face higher standards in the workplace.
Only 17% of the respondents believe working fathers face higher standards, while 33% of working parents are judged equally.
"These results… point to an uneven playing field for working parents, with mothers most often seen as carrying the heaviest expectations," the report read.
"While some workers perceive balance or even bias against fathers, the overall takeaway is that parenthood in the workplace is rarely viewed as equal."
The uneven expectations of working mothers are likely another manifestation of the "penalties" that women face at work because of motherhood.
A LiveCareer poll earlier this year revealed that 73% of working mothers are perceived as less committed or ambitious because they are mothers. Another 90% feel that they have to prove their dedication to work in ways fathers don't have to.
Impact of higher expectations
The higher expectations at work add to the work-life burden faced by working mothers, according to the FlexJobs report.
As a result, 63% of working mothers admit to hiding family matters at work to appear more committed. This is also the case for 51% of men.
"Instead of being able to integrate work and family roles openly, many parents feel they must cover up a central part of their lives to maintain credibility in their careers, reinforcing how strongly workplace culture shapes behaviour," the report read.
And with return-to-office policies expanding in workplaces, 10% of women said they would specifically put off or reconsider starting a family.
Demand for alternative work arrangements
According to the report, 72% of parents said flexible working hours and schedules would help them the most in work-life balance.
Nearly three in four women (74%) said they would benefit from flexible working hours. Another 66% of women said they would find support in remote or hybrid work options.
Meanwhile, other benefits that parents cited include:
- Comprehensive paid parental leave (47%)
- Generous family care sick leave (45%)
- Childcare assistance (37%)
"The findings… highlight how deeply workplace policies shape family life. Having the flexibility to adjust hours or work from home goes beyond convenience," the report read. "For many parents, it determines whether they stay in a role, pursue advancement, or feel confident about growing their families while maintaining their careers."
