Building a More Inclusive, Women-Friendly Workforce in a Post-Pandemic World

April 4, 2024

By Megan Nash, IFPA Director of Education and Programs

This March marks four years since the COVID-19 global pandemic. Life abruptly halted and staying home became a necessity. It disrupted every aspect of our lives, and our workforce was no exception. Perhaps one of the most profound impacts, and one we are still feeling today, is the effect on women in the workforce. From job losses to increased caregiving responsibilities, the pandemic highlighted and exacerbated existing gender disparities.

Many businesses were forced to shut down or reduce operations, resulting in widespread job losses. Unfortunately, women bore the brunt of these losses. Hospitality, retail, and service industries which employ a significant number of women, were particularly hard-hit. Women, especially those from marginalized communities, faced higher rates of unemployment and underemployment compared to men.

Some women found themselves displaced professionally, while others transitioned to a remote work environment. This shift to remote work brought its own set of challenges. While remote work offered flexibility, it also blurred the boundaries between work and home life. This led to increased caregiving responsibilities for many women, making work-life balance completely unattainable.

With schools and childcare facilities closed. or operating at limited capacity, working mothers found themselves juggling work, childcare, and household duties, often at the expense of their careers. The impact of these times changed the way we work forever. Our workforce, especially women, started to craft their own work-life blend instead of seeking a perfect balance. Instead of working within their current boundaries, they started to create their own; pursuing careers and companies that allowed them to excel at work while also excelling at home.

According to the Center of American Progress, as of 2023, women in the workforce have returned to near pre-pandemic levels, however, there are still some obstacles in finding work, especially for women without college degrees. Low-wage earners have increased difficulty finding affordable childcare and face challenges finding jobs with higher pay due to strict job requirements for education and employment history.

In 2024, and beyond, how can we navigate this post-COVID landscape to address these challenges and create a more equitable environment for women in the workforce? Employers must prioritize creating inclusive policies and practices that support women's participation and advancement in the workforce. This includes offering flexible work arrangements, providing access to affordable childcare, and implementing mentorship and sponsorship programs for women. Women with children are 32% less likely to leave their position if they are accommodated with remote opportunities.

While we know remote work cannot work for every position and every company, how can we start to think about it differently? If we know remote work is not possible for everyone, how can we capture what we learned from the pandemic and innovate the workplace? Government intervention would help address the systemic barriers that women face in the workforce. This includes implementing policies such as paid family leave, affordable childcare initiatives, and equal pay legislation. Furthermore, investing in education and training programs that equip women with the skills needed for in-demand jobs can help bridge the gender gap in high-growth industries.

Fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion within the workplace is critical for the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the workforce. This requires a leadership commitment - a commitment to implementing inclusive policies and practices, combatting unconscious bias, promoting equitable hiring and promotion practices, and most importantly, creating a healthy and supportive work environment where all feel valued and respected.

Only by addressing the unique challenges faced by women can we create a future where every woman can reach her full career potential.

Building a More Inclusive, Women-Friendly Workforce in a Post-Pandemic World

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