Workload, Retention, and Unpaid Labor: Acknowledging and Supporting “Women’s Work”

What is it about?

The COVID-19 pandemic produced a number of shifts in the workforce and in the economy. One of these shifts was increased unpaid labor that many people, particularly women, were required to take on both inside and outside of work. Unpaid labor refers to obtaining food and essential supplies, cooking, caring for family and community members, general household management, and tending to the social-emotional needs of others. Additionally, unpaid labor can encompass physical or social-emotional tasks within the workplace such as team-building activities, tending to inter-office relationships, and managing expectation during times of crisis or major changes. Another shift in the workforce and in the economy produced by the pandemic was significant job loss that disproportionately affected women. This case study uses a fictional workplace scenario to explore the effects of unpaid labor on workload and employee retention, and to highlight the disproportionate ways in which economic crises and unpaid labor impact women. Students will be asked to consider the impact of unpaid labor on the retention of female employees and to consider the ways in which individuals, companies, and society can better prepare for future times of crisis and support workers during such times.

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Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This article illuminates the often-invisible burden of unpaid labor that disproportionately falls on women, especially intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. By framing this issue within the context of employee retention and workload, it offers a critical perspective on gender dynamics in the workforce and presents an educational case study that encourages proactive strategies for businesses and society. This work not only contributes to academic discourse but also has practical implications for policy-making and organizational change, aiming to create more equitable and supportive work environments.