Returning to work after maternity leave can leave new mothers wrestling with guilt – feeling they can't fully win at work or home. New research from Baylor University shows that the right kind of support during pregnancy can make all the difference.
In a new study published in the Journal of Management , Kaylee J. Hackney, Ph.D. , associate professor of management at Baylor's Hankamer School of Business, found that social support provided to women before childbirth – particularly from supervisors, coworkers, spouses and friends – can significantly reduce working mom guilt and improve job and family satisfaction months later.
Early support, lasting impact
Hackney and her co-authors surveyed women during pregnancy and again after returning to work. They found that supervisor support had the strongest impact, followed by coworker and friend support for job satisfaction and spouse support for family satisfaction.
"The big takeaway is that early support matters," Hackney said. "Signals of support during pregnancy from a supervisor who listens, a coworker who steps in or a partner who encourages have long-lasting effects that reduce guilt and boost satisfaction even after maternity leave."
The power of signals
Using signaling theory, the researchers explained that these gestures of care serve as signals to expectant mothers about what they can expect after the baby arrives. Hackney said these early signals reduce the uncertainty women feel about how they will be treated once they return.
"When a supervisor or coworker shows understanding and flexibility, it sends a clear message. You're valued here, and motherhood doesn't change that," she said. "That reassurance can dramatically lower the guilt women feel later on."
Simple ways to show support
Hackney encourages supervisors to begin supportive conversations early and to recognize that every woman's needs are different. For some women, reducing travel or adjusting assignments may feel like a welcome accommodation, while others might see those changes as limiting to their careers. She noted that the most effective approach is to ask rather than assume and to demonstrate genuine care and flexibility.
At the team level, Hackney emphasized that leaders play a vital role in shaping a family-friendly culture. Supportive practices start at the top and naturally influence how coworkers respond to one another.
She also highlighted the importance of encouragement from partners, noting that a few words of affirmation can make a significant difference. Simple reminders that a woman's contributions at work matter – and that her efforts at home are equally meaningful – can help ease the transition back to work and strengthen her sense of balance.
Building workplaces where moms can win
Hackney hopes her research helps organizations take a longer view of women's careers and the seasons of motherhood.
"Supporting women through pregnancy and early motherhood doesn't just help them, it helps workplaces retain talented, high-achieving employees," she said. "Supervisors have a real opportunity to foster human flourishing by helping working moms feel like they can actually win – at work and at home."
ABOUT KAYLEE J. HACKNEY, PH.D.
Kaylee J. Hackney, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business, who studies employee stress and well-being with a focus on pregnancy in the workplace. Her research has been published in top academic publications such as the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Organizational Behavior and Harvard Business Review.
Hackney is passionate about helping women flourish at work. She leads the Women in Leadership Initiative in the Hankamer School of Business, is faculty advisor for the Women in Business at Baylor student organization and also hosts a podcast, Elegant Balance , where she shares her knowledge of the work-life interface to help professional women achieve a better work-life balance.
She holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialty in Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management from Florida State University.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Gary Thurgood, Ph.D. – Associate Professor of Management, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Utah State University
Merideth Thompson, Ph.D. – Professor of Management, Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Utah State University
Dawn Carlson, Ph.D. – H.R. Gibson Chair of Organizational Development and Director, McBride Center for International Business, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees
