“Childcare is an economic issue” Reshma Saujani On The Risks To Working Mothers

The pandemic-driven shift towards greater workplace flexibility was initially heralded as a game-changer for working parents, affording them greater control to navigate professional and family demands. Despite the benefits of hybrid arrangements and a growing need for flexibility, many companies are now rolling back these pandemic-driven changes. Return-to-office mandates run the risk of driving working parents, particularly women, out of the workforce at a critical time, says Reshma Saujani, the founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code.

Saujani warns that the post-COVID return to work could also disadvantage those who opt for flexible options. “Corporate America is perpetuating a myth that moms choosing to take advantage of flexible and remote work is somehow at odds with our ambition,” she notes. Furthermore, there are mounting concerns that career advancement opportunities may disproportionately favor in-person employees, potentially exacerbating pre-existing inequalities. Saujani stresses the urgent need for companies to establish an inclusive and equitable work environment that supports flexible policies for all employees and better supports and retains talent.

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