When companies invest in career coaching for new parents, everyone wins

Consider the statistic you may be well aware of by now: 43% of women with children leave careers or off-ramp for a period of time. Often, these women leave reluctantly, because staying in their jobs become challenging or even impossible. Of course, this outcome can be expensive for employers, as the cost of replacing an employee can be as much as 150% of her annual salary.

As more companies become aware of the challenges new parents face, many are starting to offer one-on-one coaching to help employees prepare for parental leave and navigate their transition when they return. It’s an investment that not only helps new parents immensely, but also provides numerous benefits to employers.

The Ins & Outs of Career Coaching for New Parents

By helping employees cope with issues that can drive new parents out the door, career coaches can help companies reduce turnover costs. The issues that lead new parents to quit their jobs are different for everyone, but the struggles include unreliable child care, unsupportive managers, health problems related to childbirth, separation anxiety and postpartum depression, just to name a few. Navigating these difficulties without support often makes off-ramping seem like the only viable option.

“The issues that lead new parents to quit their jobs are different for everyone, but the struggles include unreliable child care, unsupportive managers, health problems related to childbirth, separation anxiety and postpartum depression, just to name a few.”

On the other hand, when employees do feel supported, they are better equipped to navigate these hardships. At the same time, companies may get the benefit of increased employee productivity, lower rates of absenteeism, and a decrease in mental health-related expenses. Over time, they can also improve gender diversity among their workforce and ensure there’s greater parity at all levels of their business.

A Digital Solution

Since it can be difficult for time-strapped parents to attend in-person coaching sessions, digital solutions like the kind offered by Maven are critical. Career coaching via virtual appointments ensures that everyone who needs the support has convenient access to it.

Further, companies that arm parents with access to work coaches for one-on-one guidance recognize that the solutions parents need are not always universal. Every employee’s unique home circumstances and work situation will factor into the kind of advice and support a coach can offer.

Don’t Forget About Manager Training

As important as career coaching is, it’s only one piece of a holistic approach to creating a truly family-friendly work culture. Another key component is manager training that arms managers with the skills they need to effectively support moms and dads returning to work. Click here to learn about some of the maternal biases held by managers, and how manager training can help.

Bottom line: Investing in resources that soften the blow for new parents returning to work is a win-win for companies and employees. Click the request-a-demo button below to learn more about Maven and our comprehensive return-to-work support.