The COVID-19 pandemic brought unforeseen challenges for everyone, but we’re only just beginning to unpack its impact on women in particular. In this interesting discussion, Elizabeth Willetts and special guest Elizabeth Cowper shed light on how COVID has pushed women out of the workforce through redundancy and furlough, and on what businesses must do to address their gender imbalance.
Elizabeth Cowper, a former HR executive, outlines how to make the workplace more friendly to women through initiatives such as flexible working, access to training, and the creation of spaces for employee network groups. She and Elizabeth also explore their own experiences of ‘mum guilt’ and give practical tips on how mums can use self-care and community support to manage the huge pressures of being a working parent.
At the end of the live chat, Elizabeth Cowper walks Elizabeth Willetts through WoMo, her new platform that supports mothers and companies through the maternity leave process. WoMo facilitates communication between the workplace and a mum on maternity leave and provides guidance and resources to mums on various topics. She also shares exciting news about how you can get your company to sign up for WoMo and the future changes you’ll see on the platform.
Timestamps
[1:04] Elizabeth Cowper introduces herself and talks about her career and launching WoMo
[3:43] WoMo as a blog and how it came together as a tech hub
[5:40] Elizabeth Cowper’s experience of ‘mum guilt’ when working in corporate jobs
[7:06] “Horrendous” statistics about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected women in the workplace
[10:45] Businesses need to do more to support women in the workplace
[11:51] Why opening up access to training and education opportunities can pave the way for gender equality
[14:53] Flexible working, individualisation, employee networks and more: Elizabeth Cowper’s to-do list for HR to improve the lived experience of women in the workplace
[19:15] What can women do to help themselves and lift the burden of being a working parent
[20:20] Elizabeth’s ‘bad mum’ moment and the supportive message that turned it around
[22:24] Learning how to manage yourself and how to be ok after a screw-up
[24:16] Self-care tips: Connect with your community and banish the guilt
[26:16] What is a WoMo?
[27:38] How WoMo facilitates communication between HR and women on maternity leave
[29:11] The information that women can consult on the WoMo platform
[31:35] What companies get out of WoMo
[33:17] How to find out more about WoMo and Elizabeth Cowper
[35:33] The challenges of returning to work after maternity leave
[37:17] A question from Beth: What’s your advice on finding part-time work at senior levels?
[38:22] Could COVID-19 be beneficial for women in the workplace?
[40:00] What does WoMo offer for men on parental leave? And other upcoming WoMo projects
Links
Investing in Women recruitment site and job board
Investing in Women on Instagram
Investing in Women on LinkedIn
Investing in Women on Facebook
Investing in Women on Pinterest
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