As a colleague of a working mum, you could play a big part in lightening the load in their day-to-day life – more than you might realise! If you are a working mum yourself, you may resonate with the finding that sadly, 30% of working mums in the UK say that since they had children, they don’t feel understood by others in the workplace. They’re often learning to balance work with what can sometimes be complex childcare arrangements, while still facing outdated expectations of what a working mum should look like. It’s no easy task. Luckily, a bit of support from their Motherloving colleagues can make a world of difference. To check out the full research paper, click here(open in new tab).

Maltesers, in partnership with Comic Relief, is working towards a future where women no longer face injustice. Together, we’re working to lighten the load for working mums and help women thrive.

1. Bring your authentic self to work. You may be a parent as well or have other responsibilities outside of work that mean that your work/life balance is important too. Sharing these challenges may mean you can find solutions together.
2. No two mums need the same support – so ask & keep checking in.
3. It’s the little things that count - a moment of understanding or a cup of tea can go a long way. Mums can often feel judged or as if they are falling short. Just recognising that it can be tough, can be enough.
4. Offer to help when working parents have emergencies, if you can do so without overstepping your own boundaries.
5. Be mindful of how you communicate – phrases like ‘have a great day off’ when people are at home with their kids, or referring to a mum as a ‘part-timer’ could unintentionally diminish the challenges that some mums face on a daily basis.