Adjusting My Timetable Challenges the Traditional Concept of the Overachieving Mom in the Workplace
During the early stages of the pandemic, the writer, who was largely pregnant with their second child, found themselves in an "awful in-between period" along with their family. Their toddler had an unexpected encounter with deconstructed granite from a work-in-progress patio at their home, adding to the stress of the already challenging times.
The writer and their husband were both employed in the advertising industry, a sector that was notorious for its lack of accommodation for working mothers. The pandemic only exacerbated these issues, as both were working full time to meet the demands of their jobs.
One of the key challenges faced by working mothers in the advertising industry during the pandemic was the return-to-office mandates. As companies began requiring in-person work in 2025, many mothers who had benefited from remote work found themselves in a difficult position, having to choose between returning to the office or leaving their jobs. This led to a significant decline in female workforce participation, particularly for mothers of young children, as workplace flexibility diminished.
Mothers working remotely also experienced less feedback, mentorship, and fewer promotion opportunities compared to their in-office peers, negatively impacting career advancement in a field that already demands high visibility. Remote or hybrid working arrangements also heightened risks of decreased visibility for women, especially when most colleagues returned to in-person work, reducing access to "stretch assignments" and sponsorship, which are critical for career growth in competitive industries like advertising.
The lack of adequate paid family leave and support was another challenge faced by working mothers in the advertising industry. Working mothers in related creative sectors such as film and TV reported difficulties accessing paid family leave, despite contributions, reflecting broader systemic barriers to balancing work and motherhood in fast-paced roles during the pandemic.
The disappearance of flexible jobs, combined with ongoing childcare shortages and layoffs, further pushed many mothers out of the workforce during this transition period. The pandemic period was indeed a universal experience in the corporate world, including the advertising industry, and it presented significant challenges that continue to be addressed today.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/23/upshot/remote-work-women-childcare.html [2] https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/how-hollywood-can-fix-its-family-leave-problem-1234901636/ [3] https://www.fastcompany.com/90610327/the-pandemic-has-shown-us-that-women-are-essential-workers-but-we-have-yet-to-treat-them-as-such [4] https://hbr.org/2020/10/the-motherhood-penalty-is-even-worse-during-remote-work
- In the realm of health and wellness, it became increasingly evident that pregnant women, especially those working in demanding industries like advertising, faced unique challenges during the pandemic.
- Pursuing a balanced lifestyle, particularly for women working in fields such as advertising, proved incredibly arduous as the return-to-office mandates surfaced in 2025. These decisions often led to a tonal shift in the gender ratio of the workforce, with many mothers having to make tough choices between careers and family life.
- Womens' health and workplace-wellness initiatives gained momentum during the pandemic, with conversations focusing on the need for better support systems, such as paid family leave and flexible work arrangements, to encourage equal parenting and career growth opportunities in all industries.
