Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1500307
3 Unlocking the Potential of Parents in the Contingent Workforce | Custom Research Powered by SIA |© Crain Communications Inc | All Rights Reserved | September 2022 Foreword The Mom Project works with world-class companies that are dedicated and committed to the journey that moms take throughout their careers. We have the privilege of connecting companies with moms, and we've committed ourselves to building communities specifically for moms to feel supported. Together, we've helped countless moms and caregivers find opportunities that suit their lives, and our work is only just beginning. The past few years have opened our eyes to the vast possibilities that exist for the future of work. At the same time, smart companies are recognizing the impact that moms can have on their business, understanding that mom skills translate to business skills. The tides are shifting, making the work we do and the connections we're building more important than ever. It's no secret that moms are looking for a more flexible, supportive, inclusive work environment with competitive compensation. We've seen that people can thrive working outside of the office. Yet many companies lack tangible solutions to provide the flexibility that moms need to truly realize their potential. They do so at their detriment, because we know that when mom thrives, business thrives, and society thrives as a whole. Good for moms is good for business. As a leader, if you aren't thinking about this untapped and highly-qualified pool of talent, your competition most certainly is. One of the easiest ways to connect with moms is through contingent work. Moms are pursuing contingent work when looking for professional jobs for a variety of reasons, which we will cover in this report. For some, it is flexibility—both in how they work and where. According to a recent Werklabs report, 71% of respondents were drawn to project-based work because it offers greater opportunity to work remotely or work from a place of their own choosing. Others want to build their skills and experience to make themselves more marketable. Still others are looking for a foot in the door of a company they may eventually want to make a long-term commitment to based on their experience. In this report, we look at some of the barriers companies experience in accommodating what moms seek from employment and their employers. The lens is extremely unique: a report from moms' perspectives coupled with various companies' perspectives about the state of work. Because of this, the report offers the unique ability to identify the gaps and inconsistencies of the two data sets, offering real strategies for learning and resolving the gaps that exist. While not every barrier can be entirely removed, leaning into empathy and value towards what parents, specifically moms, require out of work is critical—and attainable. If companies and leaders can make meaningful changes to how they attract, engage, retain, and support working moms, they could take advantage of this massive brain trust and diversity of thought leadership, transferable skills, and experience waiting for the opportunity. These are women who are looking to get back to work immediately. Of moms with children under 18, 71% are either working or looking for work. An enormous responsibility exists to ensure there is meaningful, attainable, and flexible work available that capitalizes on the unique skills moms possess. Together, we must work towards a future we want to see. At The Mom Project, our moms mean business. The time is now to listen, learn, and create environments where moms can thrive. Allison Robinson, CEO/Founder of The Mom Project, Mom of three Foreword