CBS 11 in the Morning reported on Sunday, Oct 4, 2020, that during the new normal of Covid-19, 80% of women do most of the housework and schooling at home. Not only are women working from home, but they are also performing their nanny’s and children’s teacher’s jobs. The stress of juggling has caused a dramatic increase in anxiety, depression, and sleep loss.

Is There a Silver Lining? 

According to recent reports, where men have been working from home during Covid-19 with their working spouses, they have acquired a greater appreciation concerning gender equality, including:

• the challenges of balancing paid work with unpaid work typically performed at a more significant percentage by women (household chores, childcare, and homeschooling);

• the importance of relieving burdens of unpaid work at home to support their spouse’s career;

• the ability to build better relationships with their spouse and children while spending more time at home; and



• the opportunity to connect on a more personal level and build trust with colleagues on teleconferences, sharing juggling experiences and providing emotional support.

@davidgsmithphd and W. Brad Johnson produced an informative article in the Harvard Business Review on this subject. They have also just published their new book "Good Guys - How Men Can Be Better Allies For Women in the Workplace." Check it out!

The Covid-19 experience has provided men in leadership positions an important opportunity to rework company policies, procedures, training, and hiring  in collaboration with their female colleagues to make serious progress on full gender equality in the workplace. 

The good news is that both women and men may benefit long term from some of the changes wrought by Covid-19, such as more flexible schedules and the normalization of working from home— for those who can.

What will you do today to be #beupstanding #workplaceallies and help #changetheculture for an environment without #sexualharassment, #abuse and #racism? #TimesUp. Let’s #playnice. For more info on this topic and other related issues, check out “Play Nice - Playground Rules for Respect in the Workplace,” and join us at www.thesandboxseries.com.