Already stressed parents have taken on even more responsibilities at home during the pandemic. According to a new survey, 60% of respondents have no outside help in caring for and educating their children, and another 10% have less help than before the pandemic. Among other findings:
- Parents now spend an additional 27 hours each week on household chores, childcare, and education.
- Women continue to bear the lion’s share of family- and home-related responsibilities. On average, women spend 15 hours more on domestic labor each week than men.
- 50% of respondents feel that their performance at work has decreased as a result of their need to address these additional responsibilities at home.
The good news is that you can help them:
- Communicate, prioritize, and be flexible.
- Give working parents the accommodations they need.
- Factor caregiver status into talent evaluations and track impact.
- Lead with empathy.