Being a working mother is tough and COVID-19 has only made it tougher. Safety concerns have left us with less support as we juggle increased responsibilities at home. And if that weren't enough, many moms face prejudice and discrimination on the job. Bias against working mothers comes in many forms: pay gaps, decreased opportunities for advancement and microaggressions just to name a few.
Microaggressions may seem small, but they can be just as damaging as systemic bias. We can all help create a safer, more inclusive work environment by simply avoiding harmful language. DiversityInc published a great article recently, listing six things you should never say to working moms. I've outlined them below. How many of us have heard at least one of these?
How do you have time to pump while you're working? OR Why aren't you breastfeeding?
You're leaving work early again?
I would never want somebody else to watch my kids.
She's pregnant so we shouldn't give her that challenging assignment.
You're just emotional because you're hormonal!
She just came back from maternity leave, so she must not be dedicated to her work.
To learn more about these microaggressions and how to avoid them, read the full DiversityInc article here.