Women returning to work after having a baby often care less about their job than before they gave birth, according to a survey released last week by ForbesWoman and TheBump.com.
The survey found that although 59 per cent of mothers polled said they were “glad to be back at work,” 59 per cent also said they “no longer cared as much” about their job.” One mom’s comment seemed to hit the nail on the head for what I’m guessing is a lot of people: “People are looking at you, because a lot of times you have to leave at 5.”
However, there are companies out there with a culture that doesn’t make working moms feel sneaky and sulky leaving at a “reasonable” hour. I have worked at a company where I did get “the look” every day, and i’ve worked at a company where it’s common to flex hours and where 75 percent of the team leaves “early.” I am convinced it’s not only the policy and tone of the company but also your immediate supervisor and teammates. If my team was all twenty-something non-parents, my 4:30pm departure would stick out like a sore thumb.
