Here is a study that really goes against conventional wisdom: becoming a mother helps women to become “better employees.” The results of this recent study commissioned by Microsoft.
Becoming a mother has the ability to transform some workers, and for the better, we learn on HR Grapevine, a site specializing in human resources. Commissioned by Microsoft, last April, the company OnePoll surveyed over 2000 moms and more than 500 employers in Great Britain. One of its highlights: for some women in the workplace, their new role as mom would multiply their skills.
Despite shortened nights by crying toddlers and an increase in responsibilities outside of work, many new moms are surprisingly more effective on the job, going against current popular beliefs.
The study surveyed employed mothers as well as their employers. It found that 46% of mothers had admitted that their time management skills had improved after the birth of their child. Among these respondents, 27% admitted to even being better organized, a fact corroborated by their employers.
Similarly, an article in the American webzine Forbes argues that “two out of five managers believe that employed mothers work quicker and are better adept at multitasking. A third of respondents also believe that mothers are better motivated employees and managers (than the rest of the workers).” Despite this, we see that they are still paid less than the rest of the staff.
The study commissioned by Microsoft reveals other startling facts: more than half of employers believe that employees that are mothers of two children are good at teamwork, compared to women without children. If 29% of employers responded that employees who become mothers saw their ability to work as part of a team improved after giving birth, 35% felt that these women became better at multitasking. The study also found that employers found these new-mom employees to be more grateful with their colleagues and clients.
At home also
New technologies are also a great help to new mothers trying to manage their tasks effectively: 37% of employed mothers have used it to work from home when it is impossible for them to report to the office.
For Celine Naude from Microsoft, this study confirms what is often unspoken of. “I could not agree any more with this research’s results. Several of my girlfriends, family members and colleagues who have become mothers never cease to amaze me with their ability to do the impossible every day.”
This study therefore mocks the idea that women become worse once they become employed mothers. In the near future, perhaps another study will bring forth the reasons for this increase in productivity in these employees. Could hormones be involved, increasing their sense of responsibility, making them more empathetic and conscientious at work?
For more information: http://www.hrgrapevine.com/markets/hr/article/2014-05-23-becoming-a-mother-makes-women-better-at-their-jobs#.U4-Af5R5Nr3