BY CHARLES DICKENS • ADAPTED BY MICHAEL BARON CO-DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BARON & ASHLEY WELLS
SHONTRICE SHARPE IS THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER FOR AGS OKLAHOMA CITY AND A MOM OF THREE.
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weekends preparing for her kids’ virtual school days, planning lunches and snacks and coordinating work obligations with her husband. Though Sharpe’s kids have a virtual teacher, it’s up to Sharpe and husband Terrence to teach new material, and even with an organized schedule, sometimes chaos ensues. “There are still constant interruptions,” said Sharpe. “Some days are great, they stay on task and I can get work done, and other days I am helping with school work all day. I try not to be so hard on myself and stay in communication with my employer about deadlines.” Especially because of the propensity for burnout, mental health support for employees has never been more critical. Many businesses can and do provide the Employee Assistance Program, a common component of which is free or reduced cost counseling services. Boeing launched a new tele-health service partnership during the pandemic and has actively reminded employees of their access to EAP services. “We should also be reminding employees to exercise, to take a break from the computer and walk around, to give them permission [when it comes to] caring for mental health,” said Tipton. When Boeing’s employees said they missed personal interaction, an internal photo sharing site was developed to help them stay connected. Managers are consistently trained in engaging employees virtually. After-work virtual book clubs, game nights and happy hours have added a sense of camaraderie and fun.
“Study after study shows employees who feel appreciated and engaged are more efficient and effective,” said Francka. “Feeling like we’re all in this together is so important.” Tipton says businesses that support their employees during challenging times will see returns. "It may take a while, but it will pay dividends when it comes to retention, and that all goes to the bottom line,” Tipton. How moms can advocate for themselves While Tipton believes it’s imperative for women to understand their worth and negotiate with power both in a new job and a current situation, he says it’s ultimately employers’ responsibility to review longtime policies related to hiring, promotions and support to address systemic issues creating gender gaps. But that doesn’t negate the opportunity women can and should seize to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Tipton advises working parents to over communicate to their supervisors during the pandemic, especially if they are working remotely, to well-document time spent, tasks completed and goals achieved. Working moms should research the requirements of their job and what alternative arrangements could look like to achieve them. At Boeing, employees must work a specific number of hours but the company has provided employees with flexible options to consider, from job sharing to making use of personal time or sick leave.
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