Earlier this week Katharine Zaleski’s apology blew up the internet. She talks about how embarrassed she is now for how she treated women with children. Zaleski admits: “I didn’t realize how horrible I’d been – until I had a child of my own.”

In her piece, she recalls her discriminatory ways:

  • “I secretly rolled my eyes at a mother who couldn’t make it to last minute drinks with me and my team. I questioned her ‘commitment’…”
  • “I didn’t disagree when another female editor said we should hurry up and fire another woman before she ‘got pregnant.'”
  • “I scheduled last minute meetings at 4:30pm all of the time.”

And she goes on the apologize for holding the knife and killing the mothers. Then, after having a child, she “became consumed by the idea that my career was over.” She thought she only had two choices: work like before (and never see her child) or give up her career.  Just how did Zaleski ‘solve’ this problem: she started her own company.

While she explains that the “culture” is the reason women get pushed out – she doesn’t create a call to action for fixing the “culture.” She offers no solution – other than telecommuting – for keeping mothers in the workforce. There are numerous other solutions, including legislation mandating paid sick leave, that could benefit the working mom. None of these are addressed.

The point of her article is to highlight her company and that’s fine. But really, let’s consider her solution to the culture that pushes women out of the work force:

WORK FROM HOME

Really? The solution for the culture is to stop coming to the office? This is nonsensical.

While I don’t disparage telecommuting, but it isn’t always the most effective way to work with others. Career advancement comes from networking, finding opportunities, and doing good work (at least, that’s what I think). So often, opportunities occur because you were present (You were in the right place at the right time). If you are a mid-level employee, you need some face time with superiors; you need the opportunity to ask question; be available if something comes up. Yes, someone could pick up the phone or send an email. But really, there is still something important about walking down the office to talk to someone about a task. If you are working from home, you don’t have these opportunities.

I’ve read so many commentaries on why mothers should be hired. One commentator noted, that mothers are great, especially if they want to be part-time. You’ll pay them 75% but they will still do 100% of the work. And this is precisely what Zaleski is doing. She’s capitalizing on the market of busy mothers. She knows that they will take less pay and still do all the work (well, this is admittedly an assumption by me). But regardless, Zaleski hasn’t solved the problem.

Removing yourself from the office isn’t the solution. Let’s focus on what will ACTUALLY change the culture. We must recognize that it is not a one-way street. Women (and parents) need to step up, work hard, be focused, and so long as you are getting your job done, ask for what you need. Communication is key. Unless you can articulate what you need, then you’ll never get it.

What do mothers (and parents) need to succeed:

  • Flexibility: For me, this is key. Luckily, I have a position where I can come in a little late and/or leave early. But that still means I’ll need to make up my billable hours at some other time.
  • Sick leave: Sometimes, you just cannot be at work because of a sick kid. You need the ability to take time off to handle the personal affairs.
  • Remote Access: The ability to work from home.
  • Reliable Childcare: No further explanation needed…
  • Back-up Childcare: Unless you are a government worker (or a teacher), you won’t have the same holidays as your child – even teachers have problems with this (i.e., teacher in-service days). A great drop-in care facility open on all these random days is key. A few people I know have access to Bright Horizons, an employer-sponsored back-up childcare provider. They may also offer sick care for the kiddos. Unfortunately, the only way to have access to this particular service is for your employer to join.
  • Networking Options: Happy hours do not work well for everyone – and neither do breakfasts. There needs to be several options to fit various schedules.

What other items are necessary?