COLUMBUS, Ohio — There are an estimated 1.1 million fewer women in the workforce than there were in February 2020, according to the National Women's Law Center.

What You Need To Know

  • An estimated 1.1 million women have left the workplace in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic

  • Experts say beyond societal norms, pay disparities between men and women caused many women to leave the workplace

  • Access to child care was also cited to a factor, especially as schools and daycares closed their doors during the pandemic

The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio released a report in 2019 looking into the wealth and workforce disparities between men and women. 

Now, President and CEO Kelly Griesmer says the disparities have only escalated. 

“People have to be cared for, both children and elders, and the norms require, in many cases, women from the time (children are) very small to assume that’s their responsibility,” said Griesmer.

She said societal norms are just the tip of the iceberg. During her research, Griesmer found women were making 40 cents for every dollar men were making in Central Ohio in 2019. That’s why, when the pandemic hit and schools and child care centers closed, women were more often the ones to quit their jobs. 

“If one of your members is making less, that’s more than likely who took the hit and is going to stay home because you don’t have anywhere to keep your children safe,” said Griesmer. 

Griesmer says child care makes up the biggest piece of the workforce gender gap. Once again, she cites the beginning of the pandemic. 

“How could we open businesses of any kind, restaurants, offices of any sorts, and not have child care open first?” said Griesmer. “You saw child care facilities were still mandated closed and businesses were opening, which meant women absolutely had to leave the workforce voluntarily, usually because of the norms.” 

Workplace flexibility also plays a role in the gap between women and men. Tracy Nicodemo decided to leave her job before giving birth to her son in April 2020. Her plan was to return to work, but she couldn’t find what she needed. 

“It’s so interesting and as a new mom, it’s really hard to think about,” said Nicodemo.

Not only does the position fit with your career, but does it fit with your family’s schedule? Along with COVID-19, she said asking those questions during an interview was intimidating.

“These are tough questions to ask when you’re interviewing for a job,” said Nicodemo. “Especially when they hold the cards of ‘that’s the job,’ but you need to know, this is my life. I have a one-year-old,” said Nicodemo. 

That’s why Griesmer says it’s up to companies to provide accommodations, especially for new mothers.

“It’s absolutely possible and well worth our investments as employers to provide the environment,” said Griesmer, “to understand they are active parts of our economy.”

She says there’s no quick fix to the problem, but she’s happy to see the threshold of child care benefits increased in the 2022-2023 approved state budget. 

“When they start succeeding more and doing more in their profession, the first support they lose is that child care support,” said Griesmer.

The U.S. economy has lost 2.9 million jobs since February 2020, according to the National Women’s Law Center. Women make up 63% of the losses.​

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