Are you a mother who feels your maternity leave was cut too short? Did you step away from your job to care for your little ones? If so, you’re not alone. Many mothers face this challenge, and now a creative agency has devised a solution to help you articulate your child-rearing hiatus to potential employers.
Introducing “The Pregnancy Pause,” a new concept that you can seamlessly integrate into your LinkedIn profile. Developed by the agency Mother New York, this initiative aims to assist mothers who have temporarily stepped back from their careers to nurture their children, especially those who extended their time away beyond the standard maternity leave.
How to Utilize The Pregnancy Pause
Here’s how to utilize The Pregnancy Pause: Navigate to the “Experience” section of your LinkedIn profile and input The Pregnancy Pause in the “Company” field. You’re free to choose any title that resonates with you. Whether you prefer “Mom,” “Childcare Specialist,” or even a cheeky “Job Leaver Due to Insufficient Maternity Leave,” the choice is yours. Next, enter the dates of your maternity leave (or an extended absence) and provide a brief description. Suggestions for this description range from “Designer of human life” to “Hands-on experience in development.” It’s entirely up to you!
You can also choose to upload media that reflects your journey—photos of you engaging with your child, or perhaps showcasing your multitasking skills. Alternatively, you can skip this part if you prefer a more straightforward approach.
When potential employers click on The Pregnancy Pause link, they will be directed to a page outlining why many new mothers feel compelled to leave the workforce in the U.S. The reality is that federally mandated maternity leave here is a mere 12 weeks of unpaid time—far from sufficient. This inadequate policy often propels mothers to resign, resulting in noticeable gaps in their resumes. A short and informative YouTube video accompanies the discussion, providing further context.
“New mothers in the U.S. frequently feel pressured to abandon their careers due to insufficient maternity leave policies, creating gaps in their professional history. We aimed to provide working mothers with a straightforward tool to own their maternity leave as the full-time job it is,” stated Laura Bennett, Chief Creative Officer at Mother New York, according to AdWeek.
Additionally, The Pregnancy Pause initiative offers a downloadable toolkit on its website, featuring a sample resume that includes The Pregnancy Pause as a reference, complete with a contact number for potential employers to inquire about the candidate’s experience.
The prerecorded message reads: “Hello, you’ve reached The Pregnancy Pause. You’re likely calling about a candidate’s resume referencing their time here. During this period, they dedicated countless hours to raising a child, which undoubtedly equips them with invaluable skills for future employment. Visit our website ThePregnancyPause.org for more information, and remember, maternity leave is a full-time job.”
In the past, suggesting a mother include The Pregnancy Pause on her resume may have seemed like a risky move, but attitudes are shifting. The dialogue surrounding inadequate maternity leave policies and the benefits of paid family leave is gaining momentum. While there’s still a long way to go, continuing to challenge outdated norms can help foster a corporate culture more supportive of women and families.
Mothers shouldn’t need to justify their maternity leave to potential employers, but The Pregnancy Pause represents a step in the right direction. Let’s spark this important conversation, not only for the sake of mothers but also for the future of our children.
Additional Resources
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Summary
The Pregnancy Pause is a novel initiative aimed at helping mothers returning to the workforce articulate their time away from their careers due to maternity leave. By adding this experience to their LinkedIn profiles, mothers can accurately represent their parenting roles, while employers are educated on the challenges faced by new moms. This movement seeks to shift perceptions around maternity leave and encourage a more supportive corporate environment for families.