Sandberg tackles the controversial topic of maternity and family leave head-on and encourages women to lean in even further right before going on maternity leave, explaining that this actually deepens a woman’s commitment to her job and gives her something to look forward to after her maternity leave ends.
Unfortunately, the odds are not in working mothers’ favor: “Only 74 percent of professional women will rejoin the workforce in any capacity, and only 40 percent will return to full-time jobs. Those who do rejoin will often see their earnings decrease dramatically. Controlling for education and hours worked, women’s average annual earnings decrease by 20 percent if they are out of the workforce for just one year. Average annual earnings decline by 30 percent after two to three years, which is the average amount of time that professional women off-ramp from the workforce.” (101-2)
Do you think “leaning in” before going on maternity leave is good advice? How else can we change company culture and relevant laws to make maternity and family leave more comprehensive and compulsive?
Unfortunately, the odds are not in working mothers’ favor: “Only 74 percent of professional women will rejoin the workforce in any capacity, and only 40 percent will return to full-time jobs. Those who do rejoin will often see their earnings decrease dramatically. Controlling for education and hours worked, women’s average annual earnings decrease by 20 percent if they are out of the workforce for just one year. Average annual earnings decline by 30 percent after two to three years, which is the average amount of time that professional women off-ramp from the workforce.” (101-2)
Do you think “leaning in” before going on maternity leave is good advice? How else can we change company culture and relevant laws to make maternity and family leave more comprehensive and compulsive?