Working parents and other caregivers are facing challenges that may be preventing them from re-entering the workforce as companies start to open up. According to the findings of a new survey:
- Of workers who quit their jobs, caregiving issues were the top reason. Specifically, 52% of parents who quit did so because their childcare center or school is closed, 37% of caregivers quite to care for a sick family member, and 20% resigned due to other caregiving responsibilities.
- Caregiving duties have grown or stayed the same for 95% of unemployed workers during the pandemic, and 78% of parents on UI report increased caregiving responsibilities.
- Caregiving demands are nondiscriminatory. Employees at all income, ethnic, and educational level say that caregiving needs have grown during the pandemic.
- Time spent caregiving went up for 39% of women and 32% of men during the pandemic.
- 44% of UI recipients say that they are not actively seeking employment or have turned down a job offer. Caregiver challenges are the main reason they cite; 41% cite school closures.
- 94% of workers on UI say they didn’t know or have the option of using paid leave from their employer during the pandemic.
- 63% of respondents say they would be somewhat or very likely to return to work sooner if they knew they could use paid family leave.
