Can Professionally-employed Mothers Have It All?

TL;DR

Supportive work environments positively influence the self-efficacy of new mothers, ultimately affecting their turnover decisions.

Transcript

welcome to the women and public policy program seminar series podcast at the Harvard Kennedy School talking to the speaker that I lost track of time but um that was selfish of me because you guys are going to really enjoy uh interacting with her too so my name is Hannah Riley BS I'm the research director here at the uh at WAP where we are committed... Read More

Key Insights

• 💦 Supportive work environments and perceived manager support have a positive impact on the self-efficacy of working mothers and reduce turnover intentions.
• 💦 Role models in the workplace, regardless of whether they are mothers, can influence the self-efficacy of working mothers, providing examples of successful work-family balance.
• 🤳 Job self-efficacy mediates the relationship between perceived manager support and turnover intentions, showing the importance of feeling confident in one's job performance.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does perceived manager support influence the self-efficacy of working mothers?

Perceived manager support plays a vital role in the self-efficacy of working mothers. When managers empathize with work-family needs and are supportive, working mothers feel more confident in their ability to balance their roles as employees and mothers, reducing turnover intentions.

Q: How do role models in the workplace influence the self-efficacy of working mothers?

Role models, regardless of whether they are mothers or not, who display successful work-family balance influence the self-efficacy of working mothers positively. Seeing others who are able to navigate the challenges of being a working parent can boost a mother's belief in her own ability to manage work and motherhood effectively.

Q: Does job self-efficacy have an impact on turnover intentions?

Yes, job self-efficacy has a mediating effect on turnover intentions. When working mothers feel confident in their abilities and believe they are doing a good job at work, they are less likely to consider leaving their jobs. Job self-efficacy serves as a buffer against turnover intentions.

Q: How do microaggressions impact the self-efficacy of working mothers?

While not directly addressed in this study, microaggressions can negatively affect the self-efficacy of working mothers. Comments or actions from colleagues or supervisors that question a mother's ability to balance work and motherhood can lead to feelings of inadequacy and affect self-efficacy in both roles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• This seminar series at the Harvard Kennedy School focuses on closing gender gaps in health, education, and political and economic participation.

• The speaker, Jamie Ladge, discusses how supportive work environments shape the self-efficacy and turnover decisions of new mothers.

• The study primarily focuses on first-time mothers and their experiences of balancing work and motherhood, particularly around the question of whether they can "have it all".