Working Moms Reveal Most Annoying Things Colleagues Say

Working moms are on a mission to reduce the number of times they hear comments from colleagues like “she’s only part time,” “I forgot you leave early” and “I wish I could have Fridays off.”

A study, of 1,000 employed moms, revealed the common remarks they face in the workplace including, “you look tired,” “enjoy the rest of your week off” and “can’t your partner do any of the childcare?”

But 55 percent are determined to change workplace lingo and get more recognition in the office.

And while 38 percent feel their work provides a great support network, 29 percent wish they heard more supportive phrases like “you’re doing a brilliant job,” “thanks for all your work this week” and “your children come first” more often.

However, 63 percent believe their colleagues mean no harm when making such comments.

While 26 percent admitted a co-worker has corrected themselves midway through saying something that could be perceived as ill-informed to working parents.

The research was commissioned by MALTESERS, to launch its #MotherLover campaign which aims to help lighten the load for working moms and encourage those around them to support where they can.

It has also partnered with women’s online community Peanut to create the “Work & Motherhood” content hub, providing actionable tips, tools and real-life advice around the challenges working mothers face.

Leah Dyckes, brand director at MALTESERS, said: “It’s hard for working mums; society tells them they can ‘have it all’, but the reality is often very different.

”Through the #MotherLover campaign and meaningful partnership with Peanut, which directly creates spaces for mums every day, we can help shift this dynamic by asking everyone around women to step up, to show empathy, and do what they can as allies to lighten their load.”

However, working mothers want to see further support such as better flexible working options (47 percent), increased financial support for childcare (32 percent) and inclusive parental leave policies (25 percent).

And 16 percent admitted they were treated differently the second time around when they had more than one child while in the same workplace.

The OnePoll.com data found 63 percent feel they need to work harder to prove themselves.

Of these, 46 percent put this down to a need to convince co-workers their change in hours doesn’t impact their output and 35 per cent feel it’s more difficult to get recognition for the job that they do.

Michelle Kennedy, founder and CEO, Peanut App, said: “As a mother of two myself, I can safely say that balance is a myth.

Produced in association with SWNS Talker