Women’s employment less affected by pandemic than many feared

Women’s work and employment have been less affected by the pandemic than many feared, according to the Resolution Foundation. 

Experts had warned of a ‘shecession’ after the hospitality and retail industries – which have a high proportion of female staff – were hammered by lockdowns. 

But the Foundation found women’s working hours fell by a third less than men’s. And while the employment rate among men dropped by 2.4 per cent, it was only 0.8 per cent lower for women. 

Concern: Experts had warned of a ‘shecession’ but women’s working hours fell by a third less than men’s

And full-time female employment has actually increased, partly due to the concentration of women in the public sector. 

But inequalities remain. Hannah Slaughter, at the Resolution Foundation, said: ‘The impact has been much more equal than expected. But with the crisis still with us, the lasting gender impact is still highly uncertain.’