Pandemic Caregiver Bias Is Real
It's not new information that COVID-19 is burdening women disproportionately. We experience it every day, as we attempt to balance our full-time jobs and our children’s full-time virtual learning. For many of us, it means we have to choose – either we focus on our jobs or we help our kids log into and stay on their virtual classes. We’re finding we struggle at doing both.
When I work directly with schools on their COVID reopening plans, I know that the student-centered solution must include and meet the professional and personal needs of teachers, administrators, parents and caregivers. Without first meeting their needs, our children’s virtual or hybrid learning needs won’t get met.
I also know that work is not a zero-sum game. We do better as a group, when those in the group do better. So, flexible policies for workers serve to benefit the overall company goals, which is what everyone’s working towards, right? We need to keep our eyes on the prize.
In order for us to get the best out of our employees, we need to meet them where they’re at. And right now, that’s at home, with our children vying for attention, and requiring assistance with the many logins and online platforms required for them to access their education.
So, don’t apologize when your child comes on screen. Men don’t. Women’s shouldn’t.