How has COVID-19 impacted women in tech?

COVID-19 has changed the landscape of how we approach our working lives, with many challenges being particularly identified for female workers.

Before the pandemic, women were already severely underrepresented in the Tech industry and this has been compounded since lockdown commenced in March. Research from TrustRadius have found that women in Tech are more likely to be laid -off or furloughed than their male counterparts. Their research found that the main reasons for this are that women are 1.5. times more likely to be responsible for childcare and they tend to have more junior and entry level roles in the sector.

The Parliamentary Women and Equalities Select Committee have recently commissioned a report, by the University of Huddersfield, on the effect of the lockdown on the female workforce and the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women. The report found that women have been more than twice as likely as men to experience mental health problems, exacerbated by the challenge of working at home while taking on extra responsibilities such as the role of primary carers. The report was commissioned early in the pandemic. There had been considerable press coverage on issues; for example, older men being more at risk from Covid-19. However, there were also concerns about the indirect impact on women who are traditionally viewed as the primary carer givers. The report concluded that, as a result, gender equality gains have been dissolved during the pandemic and the findings will be presented to a parliamentary committee that focuses on inequalities and could influence future legislation designed to contain the impact of the pandemic on female workers. 

The TUC have also carried out research into the impact of the pandemic, and they have found that it has had a disproportionate social and economic impact on women, particularly in relation to childcare. Their research suggests that during the course of the pandemic, women have been taking on 75% more childcare duties and are also 47% more likely to have permanently lost their job or resigned due to the pandemic.

What can employers and third-party organisations do to redress this imbalance?

Many employers have embraced flexible working during the pandemic in order to accommodate their female employees varying needs and commitments and have kept them engaged and supported through various incentives such as virtual meetings, webinars and virtual social events.

While much has changed in recent years, women still only represent 17% of the workforce in the Tech industry. Organisations such as WeAreTechWomen are emerging with the goals of redressing gender imbalances by attracting, developing and retaining female talent and ensuring women in the sector are supported during the pandemic. Hopefully, with these initiatives and the continued education of employers, on the need for flexibility for female workers, previous gender equality gains can be re-established and the lessons learnt can be carried forward.