“Mommy-track” has become such a familiar concept in the last few years that it merited an entry in Merriam-Webster’s dictionary. Defined as “a career path that allows a mother flexible or reduced work hours but tends to slow or block advancement,” the phenomenon of parents getting professionally sidelined is pervasive.
The term’s first known use is from 1988, but the recent pandemic and the stresses of working from home or going without childcare have brought the concept back to the forefront. Some companies, however, are working hard to encourage professional growth as well as support their employees’ family needs.
Dea Katel Fischer, senior director of internal communications and employee experience at Squarespace, joined the company just eight days before Covid shut down the world in 2020. Working to help the company navigate an unprecedented situation with a 1-year-old wrapped around her neck led her to appreciate the supportive culture she’d joined.
“My colleagues were not only understanding but grateful for my contributions, and I continued to progress at the company,” she said.
Melissa Makhoul, people experience manager at commercetools, earned a promotion shortly after she returned from maternity leave. Her career has been steadily climbing ever since.
“I’ve never felt as though my career was on the line or in jeopardy because I was raising a child,” she said.
Supporting parents at work means more than offering great benefits and flexible schedules; it means nurturing their professional growth and career paths, too.
Founded in 2005, Acrisure is an insurance broker, delivering insurance and risk management services and solutions. Acrisure is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
What benefits improve work experience for parents at your company?
There are several benefits that stand out for me. Flexible time away allows parents to be present to meet their children's needs. I also appreciate having the autonomy to get work done and meet deadlines without micro-management.
Acrisure’s parental leave policy provides paid leave to support new parents. Paid leave is compensated at 100% of weekly earnings and allows employees to enjoy between 6-12 weeks off worry free. We also have a quality Mothers Room space to lessen the stress of pumping for employees.
How does your company support continued professional advancement for parents on your team?
Professional advancement comes in many forms and at different times over the span of a career. Perhaps an employee wants to develop different skills to accommodate a hybrid schedule due to child care issues.
We offer a $1,500 learning and development stipend to allow them to continue to invest in their professional growth. Each individual circumstance is different, but with open communication and support, we can meet each employee where they are both personally and professionally.
Share a specific story or example of how these supports, both parental and professional, have helped your career while working for this company.
One way we provide for our working parents is to meet them where they are in life. I have benefitted immensely from this. When I first joined, my children were 2 and 5 years old, and my schedule was very much locked around their routines and childcare.
“One way we provide for our working parents is to meet them where they are in life. I have benefitted immensely from this.”
It was not easy for me to travel or to augment my work schedule. Acrisure was so wonderfully accommodating during those years and it's been a natural evolution to a work schedule that allows for more business travel without the stress.
Pluralsight is a technology learning platform for software developers, IT administrators and creative professionals.
What benefits improve work experience for parents at your company?
Pluralsight's dedication to flexible and remote work has fundamentally transformed my journey as a leader and employee. It has relieved me of significant mental strain by enabling me to manage my dual responsibilities of parenting and professional commitments seamlessly. This support underscores the company's recognition of the equal importance of family and work life, instilling confidence in me and fostering a culture of understanding and encouragement.
How does your company support continued professional advancement for parents on your team?
Pluralsight's culture of autonomy supports my professional growth by letting me progress at my pace while balancing family priorities. Opportunities are equal for all, and our flexible, remote setup boosts my confidence to tackle challenges where and when I'm most effective.
“Pluralsight's culture of autonomy supports my professional growth by letting me progress at my pace while balancing family priorities.”
Leaders encourage my advancement and actively align with my desired speed. Managing my development alongside family responsibilities strengthens my leadership skills and enriches my motherhood experience.
Share a specific story or example of how these supports, both parental and professional, have helped your career while working for this company.
When I came back from maternity leave in 2022, Pluralsight was in a period of organizational change. I was hungry for advancement and new projects, but had all the needs of a new baby to juggle.
I was completely open with my leaders, asking for more growth and flexibility at the same time. My leaders worked with me to allow my growth to blossom at the pace I was hoping for, while also encouraging me to take rest and care for my baby as I needed.
I was able to devote all the energy I wanted to in the directions I needed. Over the course of the next twelve months, I received a promotion and endless growth opportunities - all while taking care of my baby full-time at home. Our values of autonomy and flexibility allowed my career to excel at a time where it typically could have stalled out or stopped completely, and as a result I was able to grow both professionally and as a human being and parent.
Spring Health uses AI to help patients get better faster. The company empowers doctors to make data-driven, personalized treatment decisions for their patients.
What benefits improve work experience for parents at your company?
Before coming to Spring, I spent a decade working in community mental health. Spring was the first company that offered actual affordable and GOOD health care. I remember almost crying because I was so grateful that my family was finally taken care of.
My daughter has a handful of health complications and I can book appointments without being worried about a bill later. That is a huge benefit. I also love the ERG for parents. I get a lot of support, laughter and motivation from that channel. Always good vibes and good people.
How does your company support continued professional advancement for parents on your team?
Spring realizes that we all have lives outside of work. Dropping off and picking up your kid from school is important; those conversations and special moments are fleeting, but huge at the same time.
Being able to take time off for special events or when your kid is sick without feeling like you are going to compromise your career is a wonderful feeling. I have strong boundaries and always put my family first. I thought that would not allow me to advance or show that I lack commitment to the company, but I was promoted a year ago to a manager role and love it.
“I find that I can come in for my shift, work hard and still be the mom I want to be when I log off.”
I am learning so much, growing in my career and still feel as though I can soak up all the time I want with my kiddo and husband. I find that I can come in for my shift, work hard and still be the mom I want to be when I log off.
Share a specific story or example of how these supports, both parental and professional, have helped your career while working for this company.
I think as a parent you learn to deal with whatever is thrown at you for the day. Working at a start-up is not too different. What you thought was on your agenda for the day can be totally different and change in an instant.
In that way, I have learned some juggling skills from being a mom that have helped my career. Parenthood is unbelievably unpredictable, tough, overwhelming, amazingly beautiful and extremely motivating all at the same time. Being a mom does move me to be a better employee.
I want my daughter to see that she can be successful, work hard and carve out her own path in life. I learned that from my mom, to always be independent, make your own way and always strive for your dreams. I work nights now, and my daughter will ask me, "Are you working tonight?" When I say yes, she flexes her arm muscles and says "Fuerte!" or "strong." I know that I am working for her future as much as my own, and that right there makes it all worth it.
Founded in 2006, commercetools is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that provides headless, API-led technologies to brands. The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
What benefits improve work experience for parents at your company?
commercetools prides itself on its flexibility, both in its SaaS products, and in its culture. This includes flexible working hours that allow us to strike a balance between professional and personal commitments and our well-being.
This flexibility is so important in being able to take care of myself and my family. If my son needs to be home with me because he is sick, there are no questions asked. Everyone is supportive and understanding. If I want to have a morning off to help out at his school, I can do this easily and happily. I rarely have to choose between my son or my career.
“If my son needs to be home with me because he is sick, there are no questions asked. Everyone is supportive and understanding.”
We also have a “Family Leave Plus” benefit, which allows primary caretakers to receive 26 weeks of paid leave and secondary caretakers receive 10 weeks. When I went out on maternity leave, I received four and a half months of fully paid leave, which is almost unheard of in the US.
I was a team of one in the US at that time, but I was able to hire a temp and my former boss took on a ton of my responsibilities, which was so helpful and allowed me to really unplug and enjoy the time with my newborn.
As a parent, this benefit was a huge selling point for commercetools going above and beyond the industry norm.
How does your company support continued professional advancement for parents on your team?
For all employees, commercetools provides a professional development fund that encourages continuous learning. This fund provides financial support so that everyone can choose what training or learning would be most beneficial to them. Some of my colleagues have used this to learn a new language, travel to and attend conferences worldwide, and take courses that helped them gain new skills.
We also have our “Workation” benefit, where we can work up to 60 business days per year from a different country. We’ve found this allows our teams to experience new cultures and have the opportunity to work in cities near other offices to promote further connection. We’re proud to provide this, as less than 25 percent of tech companies allow for employees to work from anywhere.
We are preparing to roll out our commercetools “Women in Leadership” program, designed for women in the organization who are aspiring to become leaders. The program will include skill-building sessions, mentoring, networking and a supportive community, visibility and advocacy. The program will aim to empower women at commercetools by providing them with the resources and support needed to navigate their career progression and achieve their aspirations. The program has received enthusiastic sponsorship from the entire executive team, embodying a collective commitment to championing women's leadership journeys.
Share a specific story or example of how these supports, both parental and professional, have helped your career while working for this company.
Parents are given all the same opportunities as non-parents. I’ve never felt as though my career was on the line or in jeopardy because I was raising a child. I received a promotion shortly after I came back from maternity leave, and my career has been steadily climbing since joining commercetools.
Squarespace is a SaaS-based content management system offering a website builder, blogging platform and hosting service.
What benefits improve work experience for parents at your company?
Squarespace supports parents with extensive benefits, including generous parental leave of up to 20 weeks for childbirth, adoption and fostering. Fertility and adoption benefits cover 100% of eligible medical expenses annually, up to $10,000, aiding employees on their path to parenthood.
“Squarespace supports parents with extensive benefits, including generous parental leave of up to 20 weeks for childbirth, adoption and fostering.”
Paid family care leave offers up to 12 weeks to care for a family member’s health. Branded swag and baby gifts are sent to celebrate new additions, while Vivvi provides backup childcare. The Carespace employee resource group fosters community and support for parents and caregivers, aligning with Squarespace’s commitment to well-being and community. Additionally, mental wellness resources offered include Talkspace, HealthJoy and Headspace.
How does your company support continued professional advancement for parents on your team?
Squarespace is dedicated to nurturing parents' career journeys, fostering an inclusive and flexible workplace. The company prioritizes productivity and quality of work while preserving well-being, empowering parents to work with their manager to decide what they need to deliver their best work, allowing them to balance work and family commitments.
Professional development – like access to training and career advancement opportunities – ensures that parents can continue to develop their skills while managing parental responsibilities. Mentorship opportunities allow parents to seek out long-lasting connections, advocacy and sponsorship while supportive networks, like the Carespace ERG for parents and caregivers, foster connections and community.
Share a specific story or example of how these supports, both parental and professional, have helped your career while working for this company.
In February 2020, I joined Squarespace excited to make an impact with a brand and mission I stood behind. Eight days later, I joined my first COVID task force meeting. Lockdown followed and I rolled up my sleeves to help the company navigate an “unprecedented” situation with a one-year-old wrapped around my neck.
I encountered the most supportive, authentic people and company ethos. I worked hard while being afforded (and repeatedly encouraged to use) the flexible PTO and childcare benefits we needed to care for our child, and the health and mental wellness resources to care for ourselves.
While my husband and I alternated meetings with watching our son, my colleagues were not only understanding but grateful for my contributions, and I continued to progress at the company. Four years later, Squarespace’s support remains unwavering.
