Top 5 Reasons Why Parents Make Excellent Employees
In a recent study, data shows 40% of working parents are working longer hours compared to 31% of their non-parent peers. Assumptions can be because of the fear of losing career opportunities, benefits, their job altogether...
Circa 2014 I also added a new title to my achievements: Mom. As I prepared to go back to work, I realized things would be different. Would I be able to concentrate? Would my work still be as good as it was before? Could I still keep moving up the career ladder I was working so hard for?
The answer: A resounding YES. Turns out becoming a parent exponentially sharpened the tools in my tool belt, and it doesn't require putting in longer hours to make up for having children. Parents bring valuable skills and qualities to the workplace that translate into making them excellent employees.
Here’s my Top 5:
Prioritization & Time Management: Parents are often adept at prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and staying organized when moving between both personal and professional spheres. For example, I consistently pause throughout my day to re-prioritize to ensure my time is spent getting the most important things done. This allows me to leave on time each day (because the day care won’t stay open later for me to make a deadline).
Problem Solving: Children LOVE to throw you curve balls (literally and figuratively) so parents need to be thinking ten steps ahead with multiple scenarios playing out. This adaptability translates to the workplace, where parents can handle unexpected challenges and navigate dynamic environments.
Emotional Intelligence: Parenthood fosters emotional intelligence, especially around empathy, communication, and collaboration. Parents feel a strong sense of responsibility to teach and role model these traits, so its no surprise these show up through interactions at work.
Negotiation Skills: Parenting involves a lot of negotiation and conflict resolution, often in the most simplistic and straightforward way possible. This can translate to negotiations with clients, vendors, colleagues, etc. There’s no beating around the bush!
Work-Life Balance Advocates: Parents understand the importance of work-life balance and are more likely to advocate for a workplace culture and policies that benefit all employees. And creating these environments strengthens productivity and loyalty between organizations and working parents.
Bottom line:
If you are a working parent: this is not a deficit but an advantage. You may need to be more explicit and intentional when and where you draw attention to these skills (especially if you have a boss who may not have the same experience to draw from). Continue to advocate for yourself by showcasing your elevated talents strategically without having to put in late nights (hint: dinner with the fam is MUCH MORE important!).
Want more resources on how to do that? Here are some of my favorites:
9 Work-Life Balance Tips for Busy Working Parents (Infographic)- Entrepreneur
Negotiation and Self-Advocacy for Women- Alex Carter (via BigSpeak Speakers Bureau)
If you are an organizational leader: creating a flexible work environment that keeps working parents engaged and thriving will pay off tenfold. Don't forget, the early years of childhood can be the most challenging AND they don't last forever. Working parents won't forget the support organizations provided during the time they needed it the most. So help these parents give their best at work so they can do the same at home.
Learn more about how to support parents here: