2020 DMEC Virtual Annual Conference: COVID-19 - The Pandemic's Impact on Women in the Workplace

Pressure and stress from work responsibilities and home obligations isn’t new for anyone in the workplace, men or women. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of workers working remotely and has further upset an already precarious work-life balance. The most consistent family characteristic predicting work-life imbalance is being a parent or family caregiver. The most consistent work characteristic predicting work-life imbalance is hours worked. Many women are often responsible for ensuring the home is taken care of and are the primary caretakers of children or aging parents. Now with children at home, women are expressing increased stress and strain with home schooling, parenting, and trying to maintain their careers. What will the additional impact be if schools do not reopen in the fall? We will explore the struggle of maintaining a healthy work-life balance and discuss what employers can do to help lessen this burden. What does the future of women in the workplace look like in the wake of COVID-19?