What working parents really need from workplaces | The Way We Work, a TED series

Domestic Labor

Elise Hu highlights the often-overlooked value of domestic labor, emphasizing that parenting is indeed a form of work. She argues that societal norms have not caught up with the reality that most families require multiple incomes, yet the burden of household duties still disproportionately falls on women 1. This imbalance often leads to outsourcing these tasks to other women, particularly women of color, without recognizing the financial and cultural value of such labor 1.

Care is really the backbone of our society. That work is what makes all other work possible.

--- Elise Hu

Elise calls for a shift in perception to acknowledge and support the essential role of caregiving in our communities.

   

Workplace Policies

Workplaces need to evolve to better support parents, as Elise Hu points out the lack of paid family leave in the United States compared to other countries 1. She stresses the importance of inclusive policies that cover all forms of family care, including paternity leave and support for adoptive and foster parents 1. Such policies not only benefit families but also enhance employee performance by fostering a supportive work environment.

People do their best work when they feel seen and supported by the people that they work for.

--- Elise Hu

Elise advocates for cultural shifts in workplaces to view parenting as a strength rather than a weakness, encouraging open conversations about family life.