Over the past few decades, the number of working mothers has steadily increased, from less than 50% in 1975 to more than 70% today. Balancing careers, childcare, and household responsibilities, many moms have limited time to focus on their health. Just as important, their wellness priorities often differ from those of other employees. Discover the top benefits that matter most to working mothers to ensure your wellness program meets the needs of this important demographic.
The Mothers Are Here (and More Are Coming)
Today’s workforce is powered, in large part, by mothers. From tech and healthcare to education and finance, working moms are everywhere, and their numbers continue to grow. As more women become mothers during their careers, the makeup of the workplace is shifting. Consider these statistics:
- 85% of working women will become mothers during their careers.
- 74% of women in the labor force care for children under age 18.
- About 68% are raising children under age 6.
And it’s not just women with children in the workforce. More pregnant and postpartum women are working than ever before. Data show that most women (72%) work during pregnancy, and 55% return to their jobs after maternity leave.
Beyond Gym Benefits: What Working Mothers Need
While in-person gyms and onsite fitness centers are making a post-pandemic comeback, these traditional wellness perks don’t always align with the unpredictable schedules of working moms. Between early mornings, work schedules, and caregiving duties, many don’t have the time or flexibility to take part in in-person wellness activities.
Top Strategies to Support Working Mothers
Once companies understand the unique wellness needs of working mothers, the next step is to offer benefits that fit their lifestyle. Consider the following simple yet powerful perks:
- Offer on-demand digital workouts: Give moms the freedom and flexibility to exercise anytime, anywhere, using just a smartphone, even with their kids nearby.
- Prioritize flexible schedules and provide protected breaks: Offer moms the ability to adjust their work hours or step away for a quick walk or exercise break. Leadership can support this by role-modeling healthy behaviors during the workday to normalize taking health breaks.
- Provide mental health resources: Address the higher risk of stress, anxiety, and burnout faced by working mothers. One in five experiences a mental health condition during or after pregnancy, and many return to work feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Offer virtual therapy sessions, meditation tools, and paid time off for mental health days to help alleviate some of their stress.
- Offer fitness support for pregnancy and postpartum: Recognize the unique fitness needs of moms-to-be and new mothers (which differ significantly from the general population). Programs like Aaptiv’s “More Through Maternity” provide trimester-specific cardio and strength workouts designed to help women stay active, prepare for childbirth, and recover afterward.
Supporting Moms is Good Business
Investing in wellness benefits tailored to working mothers isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also a wise business decision. Companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to outperform their peers in profitability. Furthermore, companies with family-supportive workplace cultures see higher retention, engagement, and productivity. And businesses that invest in employees and their families can gain a “significant competitive advantage” in employer branding.
Aaptiv: The Ideal Fitness Resource for Working Moms
Aaptiv’s comprehensive employee wellness benefit offers something for every employee, including mothers and mothers-to-be. With over 10,000 on-demand workouts, restorative well-being content, and AI-powered fitness plans, Aaptiv guides employees at every step of their wellness journey.
Learn more about Aaptiv employee fitness and wellness benefit solutions.
