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“Returning to work after maternity leave after becoming a mother can be a challenge” – pv magazine International
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“Returning to work after maternity leave after becoming a mother can be a challenge” – pv magazine International

This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives the floor to renewable energy expert Ercilia Estrada Garzona. She says it’s crucial to recognize the pervasive negative assumptions about mothers regarding their ambition and commitment to their careers. “To combat these biases, organizations must take decisive action. This can be achieved by standardizing parental leave for all parents, ensuring transparency of career progression and promotion prospects after leave, and developing strong support systems to help employees return to work smoothly. , she declares.


From my point of view, the solar sector is more open to women than traditional industries, and we have many opportunities. Indeed, during my professional journey, I have met many talented women who are not only part of the sector but also contribute to it through leadership roles.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to highlight the need for the industry to prioritize work-life balance for all its members. When it comes to women, there is still a lot of work to be done to provide them with the support they need during pivotal stages of our lives. For example, businesses must adopt consistent strategies and opportunities to support mothers.

On the other hand, finding work-life balance can be difficult. From my personal experience, I appreciate the ability to access remote and hybrid work options and flexible work schedules during the process of adjusting to this new stage of life.

I have also personally seen many women struggle to re-enter the workforce after maternity leave, often due to a lack of effective support systems in companies. This oversight hinders their professional growth, limits their opportunities and deprives organizations of talented individuals who could contribute significantly to their success.

It is crucial to recognize the pervasive negative biases about mothers regarding their ambition and commitment to their careers. On the other hand, fathers often face inadequate parental leave, which clearly reflects the paternalistic prejudices that compromise their early parental role. To combat these biases, organizations must take decisive action. This can be achieved by standardizing parental leave for all parents, ensuring transparency of career progression and promotion prospects after leave, and developing strong support systems to help employees transition back to work smoothly. . In doing so, companies can foster a more equitable workplace that values ​​the contributions of mothers and fathers.

The motherhood penalty, based on a general definition, is linked to a well-known phenomenon that refers to the reduction in income experienced by women after they become mothers. Protecting the health and well-being of all employees, regardless of their maternal or paternal status, must always be among the top priorities of companies.

In the specific case of new parents, knowing that their workplace supports them in this new stage of life is crucial. Improving opportunities for both parents to spend time with their newborns and using data and metrics to track employee performance rather than assumptions are some of the actions that can shape this support.

Improving work-life balance is one of the most important benefits of combating maternity and fatherhood bias. A good work-life balance is essential to reduce stress and prevent burnout in our professional and personal lives. The solar sector and the significant increase in employment opportunities must go hand in hand with improving the working conditions of all its members.

Ercilia Estrada is a project manager engineer with over twelve years of experience in the solar industry. Ercilia started her career in the photovoltaic market in 2012. During these years she focused on renewable energy projects in Italy, mainly providing technical consulting services. She holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Costa Rica and the Università degli Studi dell’ Aquila, as well as an Executive Master in Project Management from 24 Ore Business School.

Interested in joining Ercilia Estrada and other female leaders and industry experts at Women in Solar Europe? Learn more: www.wiseu.network

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of pv magazine.

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