In Utah’s Post

Here’s how to celebrate #iwd2024 as a marketing agency in three easy steps! Step 1) Make all your women sit on the steps together (even if you only have 3 of them, it’s fine) Step 2) Take photo (black and white if you want it to look ✨serious and dramatic✨) Step 3) Make LinkedIn post “ You go girls! Happy IWD ladies!💜🦄👸🏼” … just kidding, just please don’t make it the ONLY thing you do for international woman’s day … Here is how you could celebrate though: 1) Explore whether you have celebrated diverse voices 2) Ask yourself if there are women on your board of directors? 3) Ask if you offer soloutions to parents (not just for mothers) for flexible work around childcare? Use the day to think deeper, not just to round up the gals and take a quick pic 📸 #iwd #internationalwomensday2024 #agencylife

Earlier this month it was Equal Pay Day and there's an intersection between pay equity and access to high-quality, affordable childcare. Despite significant strides toward gender equality, women, especially women of color, still face substantial wage disparities compared to their male counterparts. This inequity not only undermines women's economic security but also restricts their career growth and potential. A pivotal factor exacerbating the pay gap is the lack of accessible and affordable childcare, a barrier forcing many women to choose between their careers and family responsibilities. The high cost of childcare disproportionately affects women's incomes, perpetuating a cycle of economic disadvantage and limiting professional opportunities. Organizations like the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) and the Center for American Progress (CAP) are addressing these challenges. The NWLC's comprehensive research on pay equity provides critical insights into the wage gap's impact on women's economic stability, while the CAP's work on early childhood education advocates for policies supporting accessible and affordable childcare. These policy recommendations are vital for paving the way toward a more equitable future. It is our collective responsibility to support policies and practices that promote gender equity in the workplace, state and federal investment in childcare, and to create inclusive work environments that recognize the diverse needs of our employees. Let's use this Women's History Month as a springboard for action. By championing the efforts of local legislators who are driving policy change we can shift the narrative and make high-quality child care affordable and accessible. Special thanks to Rebecca Whitley, Donna Soucy (and so many more) in NH, and Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey in MA for your continued efforts on the #earlychildhoodeducation front. #WomensHistoryMonth #PayEquity #ChildcareAccessibility #GenderEquality #earlyeducation #workforcedevelopment

Challenging a common misconception, our latest research in partnership with Moms First demonstrates that offering childcare benefits to employees actually represents a smart long-term investment with positive returns, rather than a mere cost. This revelation could be a game-changer, especially for numerous women whose progression in the workplace is often hindered by childcare responsibilities. By providing childcare benefits, companies can pave the way for greater gender equity in leadership roles and sidestep the hefty costs of replacing talent. It's a win-win for everyone! #WomenLeaders #Equity https://lnkd.in/eW9rmFk4

The high cost of childcare is putting a strain on parents’ finances and creating gender inequities in the workplace. Recent data highlighted by Bloomberg shows the drop in women’s employment each summer when school – a source of free, guaranteed childcare – is out of session. Many working mothers are sacrificing high-paying, quality jobs for flexible ones in order to take care of their children. That’s part of the reason why women are overrepresented in teaching, food service, retail, and other low-paying occupations. This trend underscores the critical intersection between childcare accessibility and workforce participation. Employers can help by offering quality jobs that provide flexible work arrangements, family-sustaining wages, and policies like paid leave to support working parents. This will not only improve the lives of individual families, they will also make our economy more inclusive and resilient. #Childcare #WorkforceEquity #QualityJobs https://lnkd.in/gJyiMMh9

Today marks one week back from maternity leave. From navigating childcare arrangements to managing pumping breaks, the challenges working mothers face are vast and often overlooked. As I step back into the workforce, I'm reminded of the persistent barriers women encounter in achieving equality. On this International Women's Day, it's crucial to shed light on the specific hurdles working mothers face. Whether it's the lack of flexible work arrangements, inadequate parental leave policies, or the stigma surrounding pregnancy and motherhood in the workplace, these issues underscore the urgent need for change. Let's use this day (and everyday) to raise awareness about the importance of workplace policies that accommodate the needs of working mothers. From advocating for extended parental leave to ensuring access to affordable childcare, every step towards inclusivity counts. Moreover, let's not forget about protecting reproductive rights. The ability to make choices about our bodies and futures is fundamental to gender equality. By advocating for policies that safeguard reproductive rights, we can create a more equitable and supportive environment for all. Together, let's commit to creating a workplace culture that values and supports working mothers. Our collective efforts can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for our daughters. #IWD #WorkingMothers #ReproductiveRights #GenderEquality

This news highlights a significant challenge facing women in the workforce - the high costs of childcare. This issue has major implications for gender equality and economic empowerment. As childcare expenses continue to rise, it becomes a barrier for many women who want to pursue their careers or advance in the workforce. Companies and policymakers need to address this issue to support working parents, especially mothers, in balancing work and family responsibilities. Flexible work arrangements, subsidies for childcare, and supportive work cultures are crucial in ensuring women can fully participate in the workforce. Investing in accessible and affordable childcare has broader benefits for the economy, including increased workforce participation, higher productivity, and stronger economic growth. It's essential to recognize and address the structural barriers that hinder women's progress in the workforce to build a more inclusive and equitable society. #GenderEquality #WorkLifeBalance #EconomicEmpowerment

🔊 Calling all small business owners! Are sustainable and affordable childcare options impacting your business success? Join us for a series of workshop to discuss and address this pressing issue. 🗓 Workshop Dates: June 18th, 20th, 24th, 26th, 27th 📍 Available both in-person and virtually 🤚 Sign Up: https://lnkd.in/ebXs4pS6 Workshop Highlights: ➡Childcare Crisis 101: Understand why the system is broken and explore advocacy efforts. ➡Interactive Survey: Share the challenges your business faces due to the childcare crisis. ➡Network: Connect with other small business owners, exchange stories, and strategies. ➡Share Your Story: Influence government leaders with your firsthand experiences. ➡Access Resources: Discover local resources and solutions to help alleviate childcare burdens. Co-sponsored by ASPIRE Community Capital, City of Charlotte, Beyond Open CLT, Charlotte Alliance Foundation, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, University City Partners, Prospera USA, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte, and the Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce. For accessibility requests, please email jhovis@leadingonopportunity.org. #SmallBusiness #ChildcareCrisis #LeadingOnOpportunity #CharlotteBusiness #CommunitySupport #Networking #BusinessResources

This Mother’s Day - let’s change the narrative ❤️ Being a working mother is no easy feat. Businesses expect them to work like they aren’t a mother, and to mother like they don’t work. And despite progress, the gender pay gap persists, and high childcare costs contribute to inequality and impossible choices for women who feel they need to choose between a career and children. It’s time to rewrite the definition. Flexible working, equal opportunities and affordable childcare seems like a pretty good place to start 🤷♀️ Here’s to a future where mothers shine both at home and in the workplace 🫶 #MothersDay #equalityforall

56% of women with children under 12 spend at least 5 hours a day on childcare - compared to just 26% of men. This gender care gap limits opportunities for women and affects household equality. Want to know how we can change this? Read more in our report: Better Work-Life Balance 💡  https://lnkd.in/dpXAPY6D  #GenderEquality #WorkLifeBalance #EIGE #CareGap

Don't get me wrong, I've worked with some talented, caring, boundaried, flexible dads. But my gosh, have I worked with so. many. dads. And not just design dads. All across creative, if there are parents in the department, they're usually dads. It felt obvious to me even in my earliest creative industry experiences that Mums Just Go Freelance. I'm racking my brains as far back as I can, but I genuinely think I was 8 years into my copywriting career before I worked with a creative who was also a mum. The model, the context, the industry is not set up for women. And based on the stats in this article, has no interest in doing so. 13-ish years in, I am reporting to a woman for the first time ever. And (no offence LBG 😉) I had to get a job in flippin' *finance* to find her. So often, our clients are better balanced than we are. That stings when you're supposed to be the people bringing innovation, creativity, and a different point of view to the table. And as for diversity in terms of socio-economic privilege, disability, race? Well yeah. No. If it's ultimately down to the agency business model (my speculation), then we need to f*cking fix it. I'm in-house for now, but I feel a strong stake in this. For the sake of creative generations to come, the industry has to do better.