Many mothers returning to the workforce feel their maternity leave was insufficient. If you’re one of them, rest assured that you’re not alone. A creative agency has introduced a clever solution to help mothers articulate their time away from work due to child-rearing. This initiative, known as The Pregnancy Pause, allows you to feature this unique experience on your LinkedIn profile.
Developed by the agency Mother New York, The Pregnancy Pause enables mothers who have taken extended breaks from their careers to effectively communicate this aspect of their journey to potential employers. The process is straightforward: simply navigate to the “Experience” section of your LinkedIn profile and input The Pregnancy Pause as your “Company.” You can choose any title that resonates with you—“Mom,” “Chief Little Human Officer,” or even something more candid like “Career Break Due to Insufficient Maternity Leave.” After that, fill in the dates of your leave and add a description, which can be as lighthearted as “Designer of human life” or as serious as “Hands-on development experience.”
You also have the option to upload media, such as photos of your parenting moments or images showcasing your multitasking skills. But if you prefer to keep it simple, that’s perfectly okay too. For employers who click on The Pregnancy Pause link, they will be directed to a page explaining the challenges many new moms face in the U.S. due to the limited federally protected maternity leave, which typically only amounts to 12 weeks of unpaid time. This policy inadequacy often leads mothers to leave their jobs, resulting in noticeable gaps in their resumes. A brief YouTube video succinctly outlines this issue.
As Corinna Falusi, chief creative officer at Mother New York, stated, “New mothers in the U.S. often feel compelled to resign due to a lack of sufficient maternity leave policies, which penalizes them for the gaps in their employment history.” The Pregnancy Pause serves as a tool for mothers to reclaim their time spent on parental duties, emphasizing that maternity leave is indeed a full-time role.
Furthermore, the initiative comes with a downloadable toolkit, providing sample resumes and offering the option to list The Pregnancy Pause as a reference with a number for employers to contact for inquiries. The recorded message for employers states that the candidate has spent significant time raising a child, gaining invaluable experience that benefits their professional capabilities.
In a world where gaps in resumes have often been stigmatized, this initiative aims to change the narrative. As Erik Jensen, creative director at Mother New York, pointed out, “The only acceptable reason for a gap in your resume should be pursuing something like starting a band or traveling the world—not having children.”
Though the conversation surrounding inadequate maternity leave policies is evolving, there is still much work to be done. Starting with The Pregnancy Pause, we can pave the way for a corporate culture that is more accommodating to women and families. It’s time to embrace the discussions around maternity leave, acknowledging its significance not just for mothers, but also for the future generations.
For further insights into home insemination, check out this informative article on intracervical insemination. If you’re looking for comprehensive resources on pregnancy, visit March of Dimes for invaluable information. Additionally, for tools related to artificial insemination, Make A Mom offers an excellent selection.
In summary, the Pregnancy Pause offers a fresh approach for mothers re-entering the workforce, allowing them to highlight their time spent caring for children as a valued experience rather than a gap.