Working moms can do it all — with their employer's help

Parenthood can be the biggest change in many employees' lives, and while employers can't give parents any more hours in the day, they are coming up with some innovative ways to help employees thrive. 

EBN's award winning podcast, Perk Up! is back for a brand new season about what it's like to be a working parent in 2024. Starting Wednesday, May 15, we'll be launching a new eight-episode series taking a look at the experience of having kids and balancing work in 2024.  

Every two weeks, we'll be connecting with employees from top companies like AT&T and Lyft about the employee benefits that made parenthood possible for them. We'll also touch base with the hosts of the podcast, Worst Girl Gang Ever, about the support women need after miscarriage and pregnancy loss. We're diving into the current debate around abortion and reproductive rights, chatting with a doula and finding out just how much time new parents are actually taking before heading back to work. 

Catch up on everything we'll be talking about right here, and tune in May 15: Get ready for Season 3 of Perk Up!

It's no secret moms have plenty on their plates — and working moms are juggling an additional set of demands. While systems of support exist through both employee benefits and regulation and policy, the experience of motherhood varies significantly state by state. 

Working moms also face issues such as parental leave policies and legal support systems, which differ depending on their location. WalletHub recently ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia to find the best and worst locations for working moms, based on 17 metrics — including factors such as child care availability and cost, professional opportunities and work-life balance — to create a score out of 100.

Check out which state took the top spot: 20 best states for working moms

To help support the path to pregnancy, 63% of HR professionals said their company is looking to expand their fertility benefits in response to the current political climate, according to a survey from Harris Poll and HR Brew; only 24% are considering reducing their current offerings. Employers are making it clear they still want to give their employees access to these benefits despite potential legal trouble down the line, emphasizing just how valuable they are. 

"If you look at the trends leading to the [Roe] ruling, these family-building benefits were already on the rise," says Dr. Roger Shedlin, CEO and president of WINFertility. "Now companies of all shapes, sizes and geographies are offering these benefits, and executives see how these benefits are utilized, greatly appreciated and help with recruitment and retention."

Read more about the benefits of IVF and other reproductive health services for employees: Win Fertility's CEO shares why IVF benefits are here to stay

Moms need extra support during challenging times, too. After enduring 20 years of domestic violence at the hands of her husband, Michelle Robinson finalized her divorce in 2023. But the help she received from her long-time employer, MHK Health, along with access to SupportPay, has helped Robinson start over. 

"Going through my trauma and knowing I not only have the full support of my manager on a personal and professional level, but also access to resources — I don't know that I can put into words how grateful I am," Robinson says. "The tools that Hearst has given me as a manager to not only support myself, but to ensure I can support my team members, is significant." 

Read more about SupportPay and how it helps employees navigate divorce without sacrificing their financial wellness: SupportPay helps this single mom with her financial well-being — and keeps her safe in the process