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.’