The Kyte Baby saga feels like the same story, different day

“Whether you carried a baby or adopted, inherited or foster one, I can’t help but feel the odds are stacked against us working mums.”

In the last fortnight, it’s been pretty hard to scroll through social media without reading something about the Kyte Baby controversy.

However, for those of you who are still unaware, Kyte Baby founder Ying Liu is facing backlash for allegedly denying a work-from-home request to an employee adopting a premature baby. 

Marissa Hughes faced dismissal after requesting remote work after her 22-week-old adopted baby was prematurely born and required a neonatal intensive care unit stay. 

Liu apologised on TikTok after criticism, but questions arose about company leave policies for adoptive parents and the company’s ethics overall.

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Why are mums still having such a hard time?

Whether you carried a baby or adopted, inherited or foster one, I can’t help but feel the odds are stacked against working mums.

You’re told your duty as a woman is to raise children, but if you do, you’ll need to step away from your career.

But don’t step away too long because not only will your career suffer, but you’ll end up with less superannuation to retire on.

Plus, there are the exorbitant house/rent prices, you can’t get through a grocery shop without ringing up at least $100, your email inbox is full of emails about your fees for health insurance, your phone bill, your gym membership are all on the rise and heading back to work is your only option.

Thinking of childcare? 

The cost of putting your child in seems to be increasing as fast as your child is able to put an identified item into their mouth before you can grab it off them.

You finally drop your little one off to daycare, get into work and start your day when your phone rings and you’re little one isn’t feeling well.

You tell your manager you have to leave, and your colleagues roll their eyes at you.

You feel guilty for letting your team down, but if you stay at work, you feel even more guilty– the vicious cycle of guilt continues.

Ying Liu appeared in two separate TikTok videos offering what many are saying are very insincere apologies. Source: Kyte Baby TikTok

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Will we ever catch a break?

While working mums today are leaps and bounds ahead of those mums who came before us, it seems consumerism and profits are more of a priority to not all but so many companies.

Stories like Marissa’s are all too common, and there’s research to back it up.

A comprehensive study involving over 1000 Australian working mothers sheds light on the alarming extent of their exhaustion, revealing that they toil longer hours than the average CEO. 

Conducted on behalf of the Cenovis Women’s Health Index, the research focused on women with one or more children under the age of 17. 

Unsurprisingly (to working mums, at least), Australian mothers are found to be dedicating up to 80 hours a week to paid employment and household responsibilities combined. 

The study highlights the persistent gender contrast in child-rearing and domestic chores, affecting women's overall well-being. 

Notably, only 5% of working mums prioritise rest when unwell, while a third feigns wellness, compelled to conserve sick leave for their children's health emergencies. 

With new back-to-the-office mandates being issued for workers across the country, many mums are feeling the lack of flexibility will have a huge impact on their ability to juggle it all.

My career has definitely been impacted by having a baby. While I wouldn't change this for the world, my husband has continued to rise in his career, whereas I feel I have had to pause my growth.

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I am mother, hear me roar!

CEOs and decision-makers need to be aware of the value working mums can bring to their workplace.

Despite facing challenges in balancing work and home responsibilities, we exhibit resilience, eagerness to learn, strong leadership skills, and a unique perspective that fosters innovation. 

Companies benefit from increased employee engagement, efficiency, and productivity when they recognise and support us. 

To create a supportive environment, employers should communicate openly with mothers, conduct surveys to understand their needs at different life stages and implement measures such as maternity leave benefits, flexible work options, breastfeeding facilities, and on-site childcare.

Originally published as The Kyte Baby saga feels like the same story, different day