More than half (55%) of working mums want to change workplace lingo, as insensitive or ill-thought comments from colleagues can add to their challenges, new research has found. Remarks by co-workers made towards working mums ranged from ‘she’s only part-time’ and ‘I forgot you leave early’, to ‘I wish I could have Fridays off’ and ‘I bet it feels like a break coming into the office’ – according to the survey of 1,000 working mothers commissioned by Maltesers, which has just launched its #MotherLover campaign to help lighten the load and encourage support for working mums. The poll found 63% of working mums feel they need to work harder to prove themselves, and 46% say they need to convince co-workers that their change in hours doesn’t impact their output. Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe colleagues mean no harm when they make insensitive comments however, and 26% admit a co-worker has corrected themselves midway through saying something ill-informed to working parents. “It’s no surprise many of these comments are about part-time work. There is a pervasive stigma that working part-time means a lack of commitment and ambition in the workplace,” said Catherine Gregory, head of marketing and communications at the Working Families charity. “To change the often-negative narrative around women – especially mothers – working part-time and flexibly, we need a radical shift in workplace culture. Not only could this curb negative comments about mothers at work, but it could also support mothers’ career progression.” Maltesers has teamed up with women’s online community Peanut to create the Work & Motherhood content hub, providing advice about the challenges working mothers face. “Every day on Peanut, women talk about the harmful phrases that have become so normalised in reference to mothers and motherhood – making change in this area is long overdue,” said Peanut founder and CEO, Michelle Kennedy. “As a mother of two myself, I understand the impact these phrases can have. When I attend networking events I’m often asked, ‘Who’s taking care of the kids?’ or ‘How do you balance it all?’ and I’m pretty sure male founders aren’t asked the same questions.” Kennedy points out that working mums are constantly juggling. “Harmful phrases and assumptions can really feed into feelings of guilt and perpetuate this idea that women should take on the bulk of responsibilities,” she adds. “The reality is, words matter. Juggling parenting alongside work can be a struggle, and we need to shift the focus in attitudes, empathy and terminology.” These are the comments the survey found working mums want to stop hearing… ‘You look tired’Kennedy says it’s OK to acknowledge you’re tired at work, but points out: “Colleagues might be forgetting quite how much you’re juggling every day. Sharing some insight with your colleague or employer might help them understand.” ‘She’s only part-time’Part-time work is undertaken by 38% of women, compared to 11% of men, says Kennedy, who stresses women often work part-time so they can manage looking after their family. “Challenging assumptions about part-time work can break down the stigma that part-time work is a reflection of commitment, rather than a way to manage responsibilities,” she says. ‘I forgot you leave early’It can work well if mothers map out their availability in their calendar to help alleviate comments like this, Kennedy suggests. “It’s a good reminder for colleagues. Also, don’t be afraid to remind colleagues ahead of time when you’ll be leaving for commitments – even a quick reminder at the start of a meeting that you need to round up on time can be really effective.” ‘Wish I could have Friday off’ Kennedy says the Peanut community advises other mums to respond to these types of comments positively. “It’s likely your colleague means well, but remind them why you have Fridays off and what this allows you to do in terms of childcare,” she says. ‘I bet it feels like a break coming into the office’“Reply honestly – for many, having space away from home can be a much-needed distraction,” Kennedy points out. “Mothers who care for their children full-time are doing an unbelievable amount of work as well!” ‘I could never do that’Kennedy says it can sometimes seem impossible to avoid motherhood shame, but she stresses: “There are no winners in the debate of work-life balance and professional choices. Do what’s best for you and your family – never allow the negative narratives to deter you from doing what’s best for you.” ‘Enjoy the rest of the week off!’ The rest of your ‘week off’ is likely to involve changing nappies, juggling schedules, and trying to maintain some semblance of self-care – and Kennedy points out that research suggests motherhood is equivalent to 2.5 full-time jobs. “Motherhood is no joke!” she says. “While comments like this may mean well, many women on Peanut have used this opportunity to have frank conversations about the challenges motherhood can bring.” ‘Must be nice to get a lie-in’ If you’re part-time or on flexi hours, Kennedy suggests mums have an open conversation with your colleague or employer around comments like this – “to shine a light on the realities of being a working mum. For many mothers, lie-ins are a thing of the past,” she adds. ‘Can your partner do any of the childcare?’Again, Kennedy stresses it’s best to be open and honest about your circumstances. “For example, some mothers on Peanut have shared how their partner’s organisations don’t offer progressive policies for parents.” ‘It must be busy having the children home during the school holidays’If you’re working from home, school holidays can impact your response time or working hours, Kennedy points out. “It’s important to communicate that you will be busy and have a few more balls to juggle – between meets, sports clubs and lunches. Remember it’s ok to foster discussions about your needs.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Get up and glow with this energising morning workout Support with mental health issues and finances should be linked – Martin Lewis Why does my washing machine smell so bad?

If you are counting down the days until the leaves start turning brown to get started on the fall foliage hikes and apple picking, Blundstone and L.L.Bean have the collaboration for you. On Tuesday, the Tasmanian brand beloved for its outdoors-focused footwear and the Maine-based label known for its Boat and Tote (and in more recent years, the “ironic” versions of it) have partnered to release the ultimate hiking boot.

A young paramedic died from a rare form of lung cancer despite never smoking. Meadhbh Cameron, 24, died on March 11, after being told two days before Christmas that she had weeks to live. She married police officer Lee Cameron shortly before her death, the day after his 27th birthday. Meadhbh first noticed something was wrong in September when she coughed up a blood clot while in hospital as part of her job. Lee says she had an intermittent nighttime cough with no other symptoms, but a scan revealed a shadow on her lung. Four weeks later, Meadhbh was told she had stage 4 combined small cell lung cancer, an extremely aggressive and rare form of cancer, not typically seen in a young, non-smoker in good health. Meadhbh, who worked in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, was given chemo but the cancer had spread to bones and lymph nodes, She married Lee at a ceremony carried out by Kenny Gray, a healthcare support worker who worked in the ward in the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. Lee, who lives in Glasgow, is running the Loch Ness Marathon in October - as it was top of his wife’s bucket list of things she hoped to do. Lee said: “She told me she had coughed up a blood clot while in hospital with a patient and that an x-ray had revealed a shadow in her left lung. “This was totally out of the blue, as she had no other symptoms, other than an intermittent cough at night. “The specialists advised us that Meadhbh’s type of cancer was incurable, however it tended to respond well to chemotherapy. “They informed us that with chemo Meadhbh would likely have a year to live if not more due to her age and health.” Meadhbh received three rounds of chemotherapy but was hospitalised each time with neutropenia, a condition which results in a low number of white blood cells, neutrophils, in blood. Lee said: “On the third time she was hospitalised, we were informed that Meadhbh’s treatment wasn’t working and that the cancer in her spine was compressing her spinal cord. “We were told that she had six to eight weeks to live, on December 23.” Meadhbh passed away the day after Lee’s 27th birthday. Lee added: “Despite the high levels of sedation she was under, Meadhbh still managed to wake up and hum ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. “This was a true testament to Meadhbh’s strength and character. “In the end cancer robbed Meadhbh of everything but her compassion, humour and mental strength. “Meadhbh was an incredibly caring and compassionate soul who had an outstanding passion for life. “Her smile could brighten even the darkest of days and she was the life and soul of the party. “Those traits are what made her an exceptional paramedic, a job that she absolutely loved. “It gives me great honour in being able to call her my wife.” Lee is fundraising for Beatson Cancer Charity, which supported the couple. He added: “The support they provided to my wife and I was second to none, especially with Meadhbh’s prognosis, which unfortunately involved spending her last Christmas in hospital. “The Teenage and Young Adult team arranged for Meadhbh to get a private room so I could stay with her and also provided festive food along with a host of other things, including psychological support. “They even helped Meadhbh and I bring forward our wedding so we could still have our big day, which is something I am incredibly grateful for. “Before passing, she had a bucket list of things she wanted to do and at the top was run a marathon.” Read More A Place In The Sun’s Jonnie Irwin admitted to hospital amid terminal diagnosis New blood test for 50 types of cancer sparks hope of ‘revolutionary’ breakthrough Why the NHS can’t win the battle on treating cancer

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