June 4, 2020

Center for American Progress Report Warns Childcare Crisis Will Have Strong Negative Effects on American Women’s Workforce Participation

This week, the Center for American Progress released a new report titled “Valuing Women’s Caregiving During and After the Coronavirus Crisis” which highlights the need to support caregivers during the crisis, but also to think about medium- and long-term strategies to ensure that this does not result in a long-term crisis within childcare.

The report presents the current context, in which a lack of strong childcare policies left the United States entire workforce in a precarious position, but especially black women and women of color, who, as the report points out, have higher workforce participation rates and fewer job benefits and protections. This system was then exposed by the global pandemic, and, unsurprisingly has disproportionately affected working women.

In addition to the immediate effects, such as increased unemployment and loss of childcare options, women have had to face mounting obstacles to workforce participation, which are centered around childcare provision. Those lucky enough to work from home cannot rely on daycares, nurseries or primary schools and must split their time, leading to more stress and worsening mental health

Those whose work has been deemed essential have an even more difficult choice to make, between quitting their jobs to provide care or creating a makeshift arrangement while increasing the likelihood of bringing coronavirus home to their families. Compounding this is the fact that essential workers often live in more crowded homes.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, Center for American Progress has predicted the US could lose up to 4.5 million childcare spaces as the industry collapses and no federal legislation is there to take its place. Looking at the horizon then, it is imperative we develop and institute strong policies to prevent this crisis from becoming permanent and the report makes several suggestions:

  • Ensure workers have a right to request workplace flexibility;
  • Increase child care funding and resources for child care providers;
  • Expand and make permanent paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave;
  • Prohibit caregiver and pregnancy discrimination;
  • Raise wages and ensure equal pay.

As President, Joe Biden Can Protect Workers

November 19, 2020
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In a new blog post at the Institute for New Economic Thinking, professors David Michaels and Gregory Wagner lay out an 11-point overview of a longer policy paper that they believe president-elect Joe Biden can enact on day one in office to protect workers

Historic Victory for Paid Family Leave in Colorado

November 12, 2020
Paid Family Leave
While much of the post-election attention has been focused on the presidential race, there has been little said about what looks to be a historic victory for working Coloradans, who have chosen to join eight other states, including New York, and Washington D.C. in providing paid family leave for new parents as well as those dealing with a family emergency. This is the first paid family leave law to be won through a ballot initiative, rather than implemented by elected officials.

Pandemic Continues to Affect Women, Even the Really Successful Ones

November 10, 2020
Gender Discrimination
This reduction in childcare due to COVID is affecting mothers of all income brackets, and as NPR reports, the most successful women, even, are feeling the effects. Mothers remain the parent more likely to shore the care gap created by school closures and are more likely to step back from their careers to do so.

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