Workload disparities during coronavirus pandemic taking toll on women's careers: Survey
14% of women are considering quitting their jobs to spend more time managing family responsibilities
Working women are spending more time than men managing and caring for their children who are being homeschooled as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and are growing concerned that it could affect their careers, according to a recent survey.
The nationwide survey, conducted by pay-equity software company Syndio, found that the increased demand for childcare and household duties is taking a toll on work productivity, as 42 percent of women say they feel less productive during the pandemic than usual.
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“It's troubling to see so many women worrying about their career because of the demands of ‘working from home with kids’ during COVID,” Syndio CEO, Maria Colacurcio, told FOX Business. “Employers need to pay close attention to the long-term impact of this, as without attention it's likely many women will be held back because of their increased responsibilities at home during this time.”
Despite the technology capabilities that have aided in the transition to homeschooling, it does not come without added responsibilities. Whether it’s setting up virtual classes for a preschooler, answering algebra questions or creating schedules, more women say they are struggling to maintain a balance between tending to school needs and working from home.
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The survey shows that 28 percent of women say they are spending three to four hours managing, researching or planning for children’s schooling needs, and nearly a quarter are spending the same amount of time actively teaching or facilitating their children’s education.
Many women, particularly women of color, said they are worried that their performance during this period of time will negatively affect their future career advancement. Thirty-five percent of Hispanic women said it will affect their careers "a great deal," while 30 percent of African American women said the same.
“It's almost like many women are taking another maternity leave,” Colacurio told FOX Business. “We know that the more time women take for maternity leaves, the greater the negative impact on future pay and promotion. More than 17 percent of women think their juggling work and kids during COVID will affect their future career advancement ‘a great deal.’”
Additionally, 14 percent of women said they are considering quitting their jobs to spend more time managing family responsibilities during the outbreak of the virus.
The survey, which polled just over 1,500 people, was conducted between March 30 and 31.