A study shows women experienced more significant impacts on their overall employment, hours of work, domestic labour and mental health and wellbeing.
Lead researcher Dr Terry Fitzsimmons who led a FINSIA-Australian Gender Equality Council webinar at the start the pandemic said one reason was the over-representation of women in industries most affected by lockdowns.
“Women are also more likely to be casual, part-time or contract workers which were among the first to lose their jobs as businesses struggled in response to lockdown,” Dr Fitzsimmons said.
Additionally, the study found women were less likely to be considered ‘essential workers’, so bore a greater share of caring responsibilities including home schooling, when schools and child care centres closed.
“Women either reduced their work hours or stopped working altogether and took on more domestic labour than their male counterparts while at home with their children,” Dr Fitzsimmons said.
The study, co-authored by Dr Miriam Yates and Professor Victor Callan, involved a national survey of 1,931 men and 1,691 women employed across various industries including construction, mining, education, health care and the arts, as well as a series of focus groups.
It found female respondents opted out of professional development opportunities throughout the pandemic.
“The effects of these job losses, reduced income and domestic labour burdens meant women suffered greatly from fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression,” Dr Fitzsimmons said.
“Some female respondents also reported having suicidal thoughts.”
As well as gender, Dr Miriam Yates said the study found 19 other variables that could affect an individual’s experience of the pandemic.
“They include a person’s age, whether they’re married, have children, if they’re classed as an ‘essential’ or ’frontline’ worker, their employment type and whether they’re eligible for Job Keeper,” Dr Yates said.
The study provides 13 recommendations to address the ongoing impact that the pandemic has had upon women and men.
“There is a need for a national strategy, which should include greater investments in childcare, social and mental health support,” Dr Yates said.
“Governments also need to better incorporate hybrid working arrangements, provide equal access to parental leave entitlements and overhaul wage-setting mechanisms.”
Access the research, Experiences of COVID-19: The pandemic and work/life outcomes for Australian men and women, which was supported by the Australian Gender Equity Council and the National Association for Women in Construction.
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