Women and men experience different impacts at work after becoming parents

The birth of a child represents a watershed in the personal and professional life of parents, but men and women experience this transition unevenly in the workplace.The laws of maternity and paternity leave, despite having evolved over the years, still reinforce disparities that directly impact the career of women. 

While maternity leave in Brazil can last up to six months, paternity leave is much lower, with only five working days guaranteed by law, which increases the challenge of gender equity in returning to work. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) still show that in 2021, the rate of female participation in the workforce was 51.6%, well below the 71.6% of men. This difference worsens after motherhood, with an increase of up to 50% in the gap of participation between women and men who have children compared to those without children. 

According to Bia Nobrega, a specialist in Human and Organizational Development, over the last 30 years, the labor market has undergone important advances, but women still face barriers of all kinds after the birth of their children. “Maternity remains one of the greatest challenges in the female professional trajectory. The consequences are especially evident during the first five years of the child's life, a period in which dedication to child care is more intensive”, she says.

Reduction of working hours, flexible hours, extension of leave, free and paid hours to deal with issues such as medical consultations and school adaptation, among other topics, are still topics with very embryonic discussions in the country. “In addition, when these issues are discussed, it focuses on making them female rights, when they should be extended to any caregiver, precisely to burden women less when the theme is caring for career and children”, he explains. 

In this context, these professionals still face the difficult task of balancing professional life with domestic responsibilities in general 'OD as female responsibilities, and the effects of this imbalance are amplified by the lack of adequate support policies, such as the provision of daycare centers and full-time schools.It is also important to emphasize that solo mothers are the second largest family formation in Brazil, which leads to their hand even more responsibilities and challenges. 

An unfair labor market

In addition to labour market participation issues, there is also a considerable disparity in pay. Studies show that in 2021, mothers earned about 22.8% less than fathers in similar roles.This reflects both a devaluation of female work and the cultural pressure that places women as primary caregivers.

To promote a more inclusive and equitable corporate environment, experts suggest that companies adopt measures such as flexible working hours, increased paternity leave and implementation of shared parental leave policies. “It is necessary to create an organizational culture that supports both men and women in work-life balance, so that equity goes beyond office vacancies offered on an equal footing to all genders”, she argues. 

The challenges faced by women after the birth of a child are largely a reflection of entrenched social norms. However, with the implementation of public and business policies focused on this issue, the impact of these inequalities can be reduced. Initiatives such as affordable daycare centers and the awareness that investing in early childhood support is also caring for a healthier future community, with access to better education and work conditions, are key steps towards the development of a society that values and supports diversity.