Abstract
The transition to remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic placed an inordinate burden on working primary caregivers. Outside institutional support (daycare services, school, in-home health care) quickly vanished, and employer support often failed to adapt to caregivers’ distinct needs. We find that these new burdens prompted primary caregivers to reexamine their roles at home and work and, consequently, their careers. Our research was guided by three central questions: 1) How did the transition to remote work influence primary caregivers’ perceptions of career advancement? 2) How did primary caregivers navigate this sudden change, and what job-related compromises did they make? 3) To what extent did this experience compel them to remain in or exit the workforce? For this exploratory study, we conducted semistructured interviews with 20 primary caregivers who were working onsite, full time in March 2020, and who subsequently transitioned to fully remote work. Five key themes emerged: 1) persistent stress due to the combined pressures of full-time work and caregiving, 2) hesitancy to take on new projects or professional development goals, 3) perceptions that promotional opportunities had been lost or pushed farther out, 4) enhanced connection with family members, and 5) a reexamination of career plans. It is imperative that researchers, practitioners, and organizations understand and attend to primary caregivers’ recent experience, as it portends a significant withdrawal from the labor market, potentially reversing pre-pandemic trends toward greater gender equity. This research raises crucial questions concerning post-pandemic career opportunities and the downstream socioeconomic effects of a reduced workforce.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
The Value of Culture and the Demand of Change
KEYWORDS
Caregivers, Remote, Work, Equity, Labor, Participation
