{"id":30773,"date":"2021-04-13T11:38:12","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T08:38:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/?p=30773"},"modified":"2026-03-18T13:09:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T10:09:57","slug":"working-moms-survey-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.commercialcafe.com\/blog\/working-moms-survey-covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Work from Home Moms Survey: We Asked Women About Their Challenges During COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

COVID-19 has brought about significant shifts in labor patterns and working arrangements \u2014 especially for women. Whether they’re working from home, outside the home or have recently become unemployed, women\u2019s ability to juggle multiple tasks \u2013 from work, to housekeeping, to childcare and supervision \u2014 has been put to the test.<\/p>\n

So, between February 25 and March 24, we conducted a survey targeting working or recently unemployed mothers. We asked them about their occupation, the number of children in their care and the influence of the pandemic on their lives. The survey also inquired about any changes in the amount of their domestic and childcare duties; how those changes have influenced their working hours; how much help they receive from other family members; and what they feel would significantly improve their current situation. Additionally, we asked female professionals from various fields \u2014 from teachers to CEOs \u2014 about their experiences and challenges during the pandemic.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

73% of Women Who Lost Their Job Point to Lack of Support in the Face of Mounting Childcare Duties<\/h2>\n

Prior to the pandemic, women represented 46% of workers in the U.S. Similarly, according to a study commissioned by American Express,\u00a0women-owned businesses made up 42% of all businesses<\/a>\u00a0in 2019. However, throughout 2020, women\u2019s positions within the labor market were undermined by the strong disruptive forces set in motion by COVID-19. In fact, estimations made by the McKinsey Global Institute showed that\u00a0women\u2019s jobs have been 1.8 times more vulnerable than men\u2019s<\/a>\u00a0during this period.<\/p>\n

And, while 93% of respondents said they maintained their jobs or businesses, approximately 7% reported that they were currently unemployed \u2014 \u00a0a number that roughly matches the most\u00a0recent national unemployment average for women in the U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n

Furthermore, of those who lost their jobs, 62% were either let go or had to permanently or temporarily suspend their business activities due to COVID-19 restrictions. Another 38% decided to leave employment. Notably, while the bulk of these changes in employment occurred following the onset of the pandemic, approximately 30% of women we surveyed had already experienced these shifts before the first lockdowns were even put in place.<\/p>\n

\n

I was a partner in a CPA firm and had to leave my career when childcare closed down for an extended period of time. Now, I am finally getting back on my feet again starting a toy company now that school just returned a few weeks ago.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sara Feldstein, founder and toy creator at Barumba Play<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Women working in retail; education; information services; and hotel and food service jobs were hit the hardest. They made up roughly 70% of the share of unemployed respondents.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Of the women who were unemployed at the time of the survey, 73% reported the need to assume childcare duties \u2014 combined with the limited options to pass along such duties during work hours \u2014 as the main reason for their current situation. Meanwhile, insufficient pay prompted 17% of respondents to quit their jobs, with 22% stating that their previous income did not cover their basic household needs. Likewise, 76% of women who were currently out of work said that childcare, supervision and housekeeping were their most time-intensive duties. About 23% reported spending most of their time looking for new work opportunities or engaging in online training courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Income Doesn\u2019t Cover Basic Needs for 30% of Working Moms, Many Would Consider a Career Change<\/h2>\n

Among those who were employed, 90% work either full- or part-time, with the other 10% split between women who own their own ventures and those who work on a per-project basis.<\/p>\n

\n

I highly recommend writing out ALL of the house tasks and explicitly dividing them between the household members. There is so much hidden work that women do, and it needs to be seen!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lillie Marshall, artist and English teacher at DrawingsOf.com <\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As far as their income, 30% said their current wage failed to cover their basic household needs. Indeed, the majority of respondents fell into lower-paid occupations in the healthcare, education or retail sectors.<\/p>\n

For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage of home health aides in 2019 was just $26,330. [Notably, personal care aid is an essential, skill-specific service that is not compatible with remote work and is one of the fasted growing occupations in the U.S<\/a>. However, more important, certain trends within our societies end up affecting women more \u2014 especially during times of crisis. Specifically, women manage a disproportionately larger share of unpaid care work, including childcare, caring for the elderly, cooking and cleaning.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n