EXPECTING MORE:
The Motherhood Penalty and its Impact on Canadian Women in the Workplace

MARCH 2024

In an era where gender equity is increasingly viewed not only as a moral imperative but also as a vital component of economic growth, the unique challenges faced by Canadian mothers in the workplace stand out as a formidable obstacle to achieving genuine equality within corporate culture.

This report, the result of a collaboration between Maturn and The Brand is Female based on a survey led by Maturn, delves into over 1000 maternity leave experiences of employed women across Canada, casting light on the pervasive ‘motherhood penalty’.

This systemic problem contributes significantly to the wage gap, prompts women to leave the workforce, and hinders their ascent into leadership positions, thereby affecting not just the impacted individuals but also the broader economic and societal framework.

Despite the growing acknowledgment of gender equity’s importance, the findings reveal that working mothers continue to face significant disparities and obstacles. The report underscores that companies, while making strides towards inclusivity and equity, are not advancing swiftly enough to dismantle the barriers that contribute to the motherhood penalty.

By offering actionable recommendations for employers, the report aims to empower organizations to improve employee retention and morale, thereby cultivating a more inclusive and productive workplace for everyone.

download the report now
In an era where gender equity is increasingly viewed not only as a moral imperative but also as a vital component of economic growth, the unique challenges faced by Canadian mothers in the workplace stand out as a formidable obstacle to achieving genuine equality within corporate culture.

This report, the result of a collaboration between Maturn and The Brand is Female based on a survey led by Maturn, delves into the maternity leave experiences of employed women across Canada, casting light on the pervasive ‘motherhood penalty’.

This systemic problem contributes significantly to the wage gap, prompts women to leave the workforce, and hinders their ascent into leadership positions, thereby affecting not just the impacted individuals but also the broader economic and societal framework.

Despite the growing acknowledgment of gender equity’s importance, the findings reveal that working mothers continue to face significant disparities and obstacles. The report underscores that companies, while making strides towards inclusivity and equity, are not advancing swiftly enough to dismantle the barriers that contribute to the motherhood penalty.

By offering actionable recommendations for employers, the report aims to empower organizations to improve employee retention and morale, thereby cultivating a more inclusive and productive workplace for everyone.

download the report now
The journey toward gender equity in the workplace is ongoing, and this report serves as a crucial step in highlighting the specific challenges working mothers face. It calls for a collective effort to address and overcome these barriers, ensuring that the workplace is equitable, accessible, and supportive for all women, thereby enhancing overall performance, engagement, satisfaction, and public reputation.

The journey toward gender equity in the workplace is ongoing, and this report serves as a crucial step in highlighting the specific challenges working mothers face. It calls for a collective effort to address and overcome these barriers, ensuring that the workplace is equitable, accessible, and supportive for all women, thereby enhancing overall performance, engagement, satisfaction, and public reputation.

Are you interested in hearing more about how Maturn can support mothers at your organization?

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