COVID: Women on the Career Ladder

The pandemic continues to turn workplaces upside down however, it has only intensified some of the challenges women already faced.

Throughout the pandemic, women have been more likely to be laid off, stalling their careers, or jeopardising their financial security. While women with children working from home, continue to see the boundaries of work and home life blur.

As a result, some women are contemplating downshifting their careers, or leaving the workforce completely. A real dilemma for companies that risk losing women in leadership roles.

Unfortunately, childcare can be one of the biggest barriers for women to find work, or to remain in the workforce.

Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data suggests that up to a quarter of a million Australians have been locked out of the job market due to a lack of access to affordable childcare.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions states that over 138,000 Australians want to work but are not actively looking because they cannot access childcare.

However, the crisis does present an opportunity. If companies make significant investments in building flexible and empathetic workplaces, they can retain the employees most affected by today’s crisis, and nurture a culture in which women have equal opportunity to climb the corporate ladder.