Working Mothers In A Pandemic 

By: Hayden

Workplace Disruption

To state the obvious, the pandemic has caused a variety of disruptions to everyday life. The workforce has been struggling, but a group that has taken a particular hit are women, especially those with children. With an increased number of children at home and changes to the work and school environment, many mothers are finding it difficult with numerous challenges on their plate.

Working Women Are Struggling 

According to a study done by Indeed, 29% of women have reduced their working hours and 9% have left their jobs entirely during the pandemic. Another study by Visier suggests that 42% of women with children have considered leaving the workforce entirely. When childcare is added into the mix, the everyday routine becomes much more difficult. In married heterosexual couples with children, it was found by Washington University that the work hours of mothers fell four to five times as much as fathers. This can be attributed to the extra caregiving work that is expected of mothers to continue at home after their shift ends.

The Second Shift 

After working a demanding nine-to-five shift, female workers are expected to then come home and begin their so-called ‘second shift’ in which they usually take on the responsibility and majority of unpaid household and caregiving responsibilities. In a McKinsey study, it was found that mothers were more than three times as likely to meet the demands of housework and caregiving during the pandemic. It is also worth noting that this guardianship does not stop at just young children, it can expand to caring for an aging parent, sick family member, older children and so on. The expectation to always be there for others can lead to a burn out in one’s personal and professional life. Mckinsey also reported that in 2021 more women than men report exhaustion, burn out and pressure to work more.

How Employers Can Recognize Working Mothers

Mothers deserve to be recognized on more than one day out of the year. One way a company can support their employees is to recognize the demographics of its workforce. By recognizing the amount of current working mothers and those involved in the hiring process, a company can contribute to successful conditions for them. Companies should ensure that their policies include and support working mothers, as well as creating solutions that attract and retain them. By acknowledging the stats of the workforce, it allows for employers and leaders to be more empathetic and attentive to the culture and needs of the work environment. A little understanding goes a long way. 

Better Resources, A Better Workplace

Overall, the effort that working mothers put in should be recognized and appreciated. By prioritizing mothers and putting conscious effort into creating better conditions for their success in the workplace, the work environment as a whole can succeed. Advocating for public policies that focus on the realities of a family’s needs, such as offering accommodations, benefits, and solid support can be a step in the right direction.