The impact of COVID-19 on women and caregivers in the workplace
The March gathering at the DRM HR Café will focus on the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women and caregivers in the workplace. The pandemic has had an unrelenting and devastating effect on all of us, but especially women. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women lost 156,000 jobs in December 2020, while men gained 16,000 jobs in the same month. In Vermont, 73% of workers who have lost their jobs since mid-November are women, according to the Vermont Commission on Women. In a 2020 Washington Post survey, one in four women who reported becoming unemployed during the pandemic said it was because of a lack of child care – twice the rate among men.
The responsibilities associated with caregiving have a direct impact on how many employees, not just mothers, show up in the workplace, causing issues due to lost time, decreased productivity, lost career opportunities, end of employment, or impaired overall well-being. Given the complex challenges facing workers with increased caregiver responsibilities, employers have had to look for creative approaches and the best fit for their organization and workforce. Moreover, as we emerge from the pandemic, caregiving challenges and the lasting impact on women in the workforce will continue to be an issue for employers.
Join employment attorneys Beth Rattigan and Amy Resnick of DRM, for a discussion, with a legislative and policy update from representatives at Let’s Grow Kids, to explore this difficult and very real problem in our workplaces.
Participants are encouraged to bring (or email beforehand) questions, examples of issues, or solutions to share in this interactive event.
CONTACT
Monique Trono
email