A break in the pandemic clouds shows benefits for women
The massive shift to remote work has opened up new opportunities for women and could help drive a shift in the future of work.
With workforce fallout, decreased productivity, and a disproportionate impact on women’s careers it may be hard to see COVID-19’s silver linings. The massive shift to remote work opens up new opportunities that benefit women and could help drive a shift in the future of work.
Increased flexibility
Seeking to keep the diversity of their workforce, and honor the needs of working parents, companies are shifting away from the 9-5 workday and focusing on overall productivity. The infusions of technological advancements and greater connectivity have given employees limitless options to work from anywhere at any time in synchronous and asynchronous ways.
Related: Pandemic-led ‘shecession’ hit women harder than men
Companies unwilling to evolve will face a workforce fallout, specifically in working women who need greater flexibility. A July 2020 survey conducted by Ziprecruiter found that if schools did not open in the fall, working parents predicted they would need to reduce their work hours to accommodate.
Stanford released the results of a two-year study, finding that remote workers are more productive than their cubicle counterparts, recommending that employers should lean in and champion flexible work environments whenever possible. Beyond increased productivity, employees can focus on deep work and do not have to be distracted with every email or message that comes in. In this construct, working women will have the flexibility to manage their working hours and schedule to blend their work-life responsibilities. This in turn will allow companies to attract and retain the portion of the workforce who will significantly impact the future of our economy.
An increase in parent-focused benefits
The unique challenges working parents are now faced with has prompted a need for radical changes in HR decisions. As millions of children head into an unprecedented school year, employers are looking for more ways to support their employees with children. Salesforce announced 6-weeks of additional paid time off for parents as a way to help parents and children adjust to the virtual school set up.
Additionally, other companies have leaned in, adding childcare benefits that offer more time for parents to complete job functions, or simply get a break, during a time when typical backup care options are simply not available or practical. We also know that women who leave the workforce to take care of children often struggle to re-enter, making it even more important for companies to do what they can to women engaged and employed.
Renewed empathy among colleagues
Work-life balance has always represented unique challenges for working parents than for non-parent counterparts. The pandemic has forced the conversation towards parents’ needs and the increased pressures they’re feeling. As a result, colleagues, HR departments, and leaders are gaining a new perspective and cultivating a more empathic workforce that will benefit working parents and caregivers in the long term.
The pandemic has the potential to open new points of view for employers and could lead to some improvements for parents and caregivers. Companies that embrace and evolve to meet the new workforce landscape will ultimately be the ones that succeed and become a workplace of choice.
Kayla Lebovits is founder and CEO of Bundle.
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