More than half of working parents fear losing their jobs amid continued Covid-19 uncertainty, according to a new Catalyst-CNBC survey. Many believe that “being a parent is a strike against them in the workplace”, noted the report, entitled The Impact of Covid-19 on Working Parents. Around 57% of working parents fear they will be the first group to be negatively affected by potential cut backs.
More than a third say they’re not aware of any plans their employers may have in place for working parents. In fact, 49% of working mothers and 39% of working fathers are not aware of any employer support to help with childcare, despite the uncertainty around students returning to school. They also believe that “reaching out” or asking for benefits poses a “risk” to their job security.
LACK OF SUPPORT
The survey of 1,000 US working parents explores the perceptions and uncertainty surrounding their children’s return to school on their careers, parenting and emotional state. Other key findings reveal that:
- Four in 10 parents (41%) say they have less job security than they did pre-pandemic. In fact, around 38% fear getting penalised for being a working parent.
- 41% of mothers and 36% of fathers say they have had to hide their caregiving struggles.
- 42% avoid taking advantage of workplace childcare benefits in case it poses a risk to their employment.
- Around 39% worry that they’ll be given the sack if they ask their employer for help.
INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES
The survey also revealed gender disparities. For example, working fathers are more likely to say their employer is supporting them with paid leave (26% of men versus 16% of women). Around 17% of men say their employer provides additional personal time off versus 10% of women. Almost half (49%) of fathers report that their workplace has been proactive in expanding benefits since Covid-19 began, versus 37% of women. Working mothers, however, are more likely to say that their employer has not been proactive at all (30% of working mothers versus 20% of working fathers).
Commenting on the findings, Lorraine Hariton, President & CEO of Catalyst, stated: “Working parents are combating insurmountable challenges and impossible choices during the pandemic. We know some companies have stepped up in big ways to support parents during this time. But as this crisis continues, many of these strategies are fraying. It’s essential that employers view this as an opportunity to lead and help other organisations rethink how work gets done.” She believes they should also “find creative ways to give employees the support they need”.
FEELING GUILTY
Covid-19 disruption has made working parents feel guilty about how they’re balancing work and care duties. Around 54% said they feel guilty working because they are not able to attend to their caregiving responsibilities. Another 43% said they feel guilty when they are providing care because they cannot attend to their work tasks.
Most parents prefer to keep their children in a home learning environment, despite the fact schools are open or planning to reopen. The same number of parents (66%) also report that they are keeping their children in 100% remote/virtual learning. Only 20% plan to have their children participate 100% in classroom learning in-person. Around 57% of parents are either against the idea of sending their children back to school in-person, or are unsure.
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