Top ways to make tech jobs more appealing to working moms
May 17, 2022
In the month of May, we take time to honor our moms on Mother's Day. Of course, we all know how much we owe to them for their endless sacrifices, unwavering love, and constant support every day of the year. As a token of thanks, we want to turn the spotlight on working moms in tech. We are committed to making tech jobs more accessible and appealing to moms, getting more moms in the tech space, and ensuring their happiness in the workplace.
The Stats on Moms in Tech
Although stats on mothers in the tech space are limited, the overall stats on women in tech are crystal clear. Statistics show that the participation of women in the tech space is minuscule. This fact is known to everybody, but the exact numbers may surprise some. Although more than half of the workforce is comprised of women, only 24% of computing jobs are held by them which simply means that 76% of tech jobs belong to men. The numbers are worth noting because evidence indicates that a gender-diverse workforce is stronger than a workforce tilted to one side of the gender spectrum. In fact, companies with a greater gender-diverse workforce can expect 48% higher work performance than companies with low gender diversity. Companies that diversify their field employees and executives can also expect greater profitability. We can safely conclude that moms in the workforce equate to a thriving economy.
How to Get Moms in the Tech Space
As indicated above, there is a need for gender diversity in the workplace. Adding women and mothers to the tech workforce not only adds to a company's ability to be competitive and profitable but can also elevate our society. But how do we bring moms into the tech space? Moms are predominately involved in their homes and childcare. Typically, when forced to choose between work and raising children due to childcare costs and stress, the mother chooses to leave her career to cut costs. This fact is enough for companies to hire more moms. If companies offer employees benefits that include extended paid maternity leave, some form of childcare reimbursement, and flexible work schedules, including remote work, they might see a spike in gender diversity. There is also the case of closing the pay gap, which in tech is a 17.5% difference between men and women, with men having the greater pay. By doing away with the pay gap, we can expect results such as dual-income families capable of affording childcare or fathers given the ability to stay home as caretakers.
How to Keep Moms in Tech
Much like incorporating moms into the tech space, we must work to keep them there. Offering the benefits mentioned above and closing the pay gap is the first and probably the most crucial step to keeping retention rates high. But there are more reasons that mothers and women leave the tech space permanently. Poor management, lack of opportunities, and discrimination have been noted as to why women leave the tech space. Creating clear career paths and ensuring women are represented throughout the management is a step in the right direction for retaining moms. Women in leadership roles will help others visualize themselves propelling through the ranks. Women will see that they are recognized for their skills and not discriminated against based on their gender or the role they play at home.
Moms and Education in Tech
Some moms might believe their career is over after stepping away to take care of the family because resume gaps have long been a taboo, but that line of thought seems to be diminishing. Employers are finally accepting that life isn't as black and white as working until the day you retire. Life happens, and people have to step away from their careers, but this doesn't permanently exclude them from the workforce. When a mother steps away from her career, no matter what she was doing before she left, there will always be a spot in the tech industry waiting. Thanks to the rapid growth of technology, many people can learn various tech specialties from their homes. Programs such as online college courses, boot camps, and tech certificates are well within the reach of women today. Moms can learn at their leisure and return to work full force when they are ready.
Moms and Analysts
Analysts is a leading IT staffing firm that understands the need of moms in the workforce, specifically in the tech space. We help our clients see the benefits of adding mothers to their teams and what they can offer moms to keep them on board. If you are seeking a tech position, please contact us today, and one of our skilled IT recruiters will be happy to assist you in your search.
