Working online as a working mom presents many complex challenges. While someone working on their own at home has to follow basic rules on online etiquette, for working moms performing their professional responsibilities remotely online, there are many other additional factors to consider. 

As a working mom, I have to take into account my family’s schedule, as well as my caregiving responsibilities, when performing my professional duties remotely. This includes taking into account my kids being home to build my schedule and hold meetings, incorporate my caregiving and household duties into my daily to-do’s, and still perform my work to the best of my ability or even better. These are also factors that may not be taken into consideration by organizations and collaborators when working remotely with working moms. Not only do these online etiquette rules show care and appreciation for the hard work working mothers are providing, but also has the positive impact of increasing, even multiplying, their productivity and loyalty in the long-run…

As such, when working remotely with moms, a few online etiquette considerations may come in handy:

• Please be respectful of scheduling boundaries

For many moms working remotely from home, scheduling their day is an exercise in sheer endurance and flexibility, which includes kids’ pickups, drop-offs, activities, and other caregiving responsibilities. After all, it’s the reason why so many working moms seek to work from home, so they can actually incorporate their work and family responsibilities into the same schedule. This schedule is also a juggling act, which requires mothers to set strict boundaries to be able to transition from one activity to the other. For instance, scheduling a one-hour meeting at 1:30pm when kids’ school pick-up is at 2:30pm is impractical if you’re a working mom.

Respecting scheduling boundaries is a must when working remotely with working moms, as these boundaries may mean the difference between success and failure on a personal and professional basis. As there is more understanding around this, it will become easier for working moms to work effectively, successfully and with less stress, while still carrying out their caregiving and household-related tasks.

• As much as possible, avoid last minute meetings

Yes, crisis happen and last-minute meetings may be necessary. However, when not absolutely necessary, these should be avoided if at all possible. For many a working mom, accommodating a last-minute meeting also may mean having to find emergency childcare, which is not always available, or having to incur additional care-related expenses.

When possible, understanding that last-minute meetings may take a whole new, often negative, meaning for working moms, can go a long way.

• Consider allowing more flexibility in working moms’ remote schedules

As a working mom, I’m often up late finishing up on some tasks, or rising early to get a head -start on the day. Having flexibility when working remotely makes all the difference for working moms, as our schedules are not traditional and may often change on a day-to-day basis, with kids’ illnesses, school closures, and other care-related emergencies. 

This also implies that more flexibility in a working mom’s schedule allows for increased productivity and impact, while helping families continue to function effectively. 

All in all, as organizations and managers, considering the special set of circumstances working moms deal with when working remotely is not just a matter of helping them, but also a matter of multiplying the positive impact and efficiency women bring to the bottom line of companies. Foregoing these would end up costing us all in the long-run…

As working moms, what can organizations do to help you work better remotely?

The Corporate Sis.