TV star Natalie Cassidy is shedding light on the challenges faced by working mums by revealing real out-of-office messages. The 41-year-old mother-of-two is supporting mothers who balance work and home duties. Recent research involving 2,000 mums shows that one in five working mums put in an extra eight hours ‘on shift’ at home daily, in addition to their regular jobs.
Despite the demanding responsibilities, many working mums stay silent about the difficulties they face. Around 18% feel unable to openly discuss parenting as a primary job in the workplace. Furthermore, almost three in five admit using holiday days to care for sick children, with over a third concealing lack of sleep from attending to their children.
Maltesers’ research also highlights that almost half of working mums believe that more awareness among colleagues about parental responsibilities could alleviate stress. A quarter feel it would positively impact their mental health. Simple gestures like tea breaks and providing a listening ear are valued by working mums, with colleagues often forming a crucial support network.
With the school summer holidays underway, over 60% of working mothers feel increased pressure to excel at work while managing childcare. In a video by Maltesers, Natalie teams up with other working mums to share candid ‘Real OOO’ messages outlining the realities of juggling work and parenting.
Natalie commends the resilience of working mums and urges colleagues to lighten the load by acknowledging and supporting the unseen efforts these women put in daily. The Malteser’s campaign aims to empower working mums to share their invisible to-do lists in their out-of-office messages, promoting understanding and empathy among colleagues.
Clare Moulder from Maltesers emphasises the importance of recognising the contributions of working mums in the workplace and encourages small acts of support. To learn more about the Maltesers MotherLovers campaign and the Real OOO movement, visit their website.