How Virtual Teams Are Changing the Game for Working Moms

Balancing motherhood and work is no easy task. Moms have always had to get creative in order to manage their many responsibilities, and their options for work have always been somewhat limited by their schedules as busy parents. 

Now that more and more companies are moving their operations online, however, moms have more professional opportunities than ever before. Thanks to widespread connectivity, mothers can often maintain their careers, even while their children are young. 

Here’s how virtual teams are changing the game for working moms. 

What Are Virtual Teams? 

Remote work has been on the rise for years as the internet has become an increasing presence in our lives. Now that we have access to a range of affordable online tools available for staying connected with one another, such as videoconferencing, email, and chat programs, many workers never have to set foot inside an office! Within the next five years, it’s estimated that around 40.7 million Americans will be fully remote workers. 

Fully remote virtual teams are on the rise and can offer moms the opportunity to fully engage in their careers while caring for their children. Virtual teams are often supportive of work-life balance and can allow moms to earn an income without missing out on important moments. 

Improved Employment Opportunities 

One of the benefits of virtual teams is that they open up new opportunities. A mom in Tulsa can apply for a job with a New York-based company, knowing that they can be a valued member of the team as long as their skills line up. Virtual teams allow moms everywhere to apply for more jobs that align with their resumes. 

The downside to this is that there is increased competition for these kinds of roles. However, moms who are persistent and seek out the right fit have a good chance of eventually landing a great job opportunity.  

More Flexible Hours 

For moms, the biggest consideration when it comes to any job opportunity is the work schedule. The good news is that virtual teams often support flexible hours that can allow mothers with young children to tend to their kids’ needs while staying productive. 

Some virtual teams employ people from all over the world. Because of this, moms might find that their unusual working hours line up perfectly with “normal” working hours in Europe or Asia. Many employers are becoming more flexible with their hours, especially when they have employees in different time zones. 

Increased Options for Childcare 

When mothers work outside of the home, they have to arrange for expensive in-home childcare or daycare, which can involve extra driving for pickups. Working on a virtual team, however, provides more options for childcare that can save money and stress. 

Moms who work from home might only need to bring in someone into the home for childcare for a few hours a day, for example, so they can buckle down and be productive. They are still at home, but a nanny or babysitter keeps the kids occupied so they can work. Or, they can work their hours to split caregiving duties with a partner. 

As their children get older but are still not old enough to stay home alone after school, moms can often eliminate the expense of childcare altogether! This can reduce expenses significantly and improve a family’s financial situation. 

Better Productivity 

Lots of people (and some studies) have found that they are actually more productive when they work from home than they are in an office environment. Moms can often get more done at home than they would in the office. Yes, there are distractions at home, but they’re not as severe as standard office disruptions. 

For virtual teams, productivity is being redefined— if someone can get their work done in a few hours, then they don’t need to be sitting at their desk for 8 hours a day. In fact, some companies are even considering a move to the 4-day work week— which would further improve mothers’ ability to fully participate in the workforce. 

Staying on Top of Industry Trends 

Many moms make the difficult decision to leave their jobs when they have children. With the cost of childcare and the desire to be present with their family, it’s a reasonable choice. 

However, many moms wish they could continue working and “have it all,” even when their kids are young. When they do try to re-enter the workforce, they often have to contend with outdated skills and resume gaps that can make it feel like they’re starting from scratch. 

With virtual teams, moms can continue to work and stay plugged into trends in their industries while raising their children. They can avoid huge resume gaps and keep their skills up-to-date, increasing their overall hireability.  

Juggling Parenting and Work is Challenging…But it Can Be Done! 

Even with virtual teams, juggling a career and parenting is challenging. It can be exhausting to stay on top of all your responsibilities at once. However, many moms are proving that it can be done and have no regrets about rejoining the workforce. 

Whether you choose to go back to work or not, you are doing the most important job in the world by parenting. But if you do decide that your career can still fit into your life, joining a virtual team might be the ideal compromise.