The State Of Women And WOC In The Workplace, Plus The Outlook For 2022

As a result of the recession in the United States caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, 5.4 million women lost their jobs compared to 4.4 million men. In addition, women of color, including black, Hispanic, and Asian, experienced higher unemployment rates than white women in 2020.

The struggle to rebuild the economy from these massive losses continues in 2021, but with so many women out of the workforce compared to men, the implication that there is still a major financial disparity between the sexes – and between ethnicities – is undeniable.

Is The Push For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion A Passing Trend?

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit workplaces, companies began to show their true colors when it came to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In a recent study published by McKinsey and Company, research showed that nine out of ten executives were unable to implement their diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategies during the pandemic. According to Maureen Frank of the diversity and inclusion library Emberin, big companies that were once touted for their inclusive measures have turned out to be mostly talk and little action.

That fallacy becomes even more apparent when you look at how women, people of color, LGBTQIA people, and working parents feel their workplaces are treating them. Five in six employees from these groups felt that their employer did not support them any more than they did pre-Covid, the study finds.

Through this lens, it is clear that hiring and supporting more women and women of color is not a priority for most US companies.

Did The Wage Gaps Between Men And Women, And Between White Women And Women of Color (WOC), Get Smaller?

In both good news and bad news, the wage gap between men and women, and between white workers and women of color, didn’t change much. This is good because it means that we haven’t gone backward in this area, but it’s also bad because we still have a long way to go to achieve true equity between the sexes and ethnicities.

How Did Remote Work Affect Women VS Men?

For women, who represent 3 out of 5 caregivers in the US, working remotely from home during the pandemic was an advantage, as it allowed them to stay at home with their children and still make a living.

But remote work has its disadvantages. In a study by theSkimm, two-thirds of millennial women said that they are afraid they will miss out on opportunities if they don’t return to the office. Furthermore, 40% of women in the study said that they would feel more pressured to return to the workplace if their male colleagues were making the transition.

As companies call their employees back to the office, women who choose to continue working remotely to take care of their families or for health reasons are feeling left out of the equation.

Yet there are also challenges at home. According to a study by Ipsos, 62% of women are more likely to assume full responsibility for the care of their children, compared to only 26% of men. Women also do more of the housework in opposite-sex households. It seems that no matter where women are in the pandemic, they are having to take on more stress than their male counterparts.

Why Did WOC Stay Remote Instead Of Returning To The Office?

Even as people are returning to the office, women of color are more likely to stay working from home. A 2020 Slack survey found that 97% of black knowledge workers preferred remote or hybrid work as opposed to an en masse transition back to the workplace.

It’s easy to see why WOC may hesitate to leave their homes for work. Not only are productivity rates higher for remote workers than they are for office workers, but there are significantly fewer high-stress situations and microaggressions at home.

Working from home is a coping tool for avoiding both the overt and covert racism still present in the workforce.

What Is The Outlook For Women And WOC In The Workplace In 2022?

The decrease in the US unemployment rate is steady, but slow. While prospects for employment have improved for men, they have not improved for adult women, including women of color.

However, what’s growing quickly is the desire for remote work. Women of color, working moms, and women, in general, have a growing pool of jobs to apply for that appeal to their need to take care of their families, as well as protect themselves from workplace racism and sexism.

The future is not overly bright, but neither is it dim. The pandemic uncovered several critical issues for women and WOC in the workforce that companies can now address and, hopefully, resolve.

Ways for women to bounce back in 2022 on an individual level include:

·         Seeking a mental health professional to cope with the unique stress placed on women during the pandemic.

·         Hiring a career coach to help you transition to a new industry.

·         Packaging and monetizing your skills in fresh new ways to recoup missed 2020–2021 earnings.

Additionally, women looking to find a new career or maximize revenue from their skills should pay attention to these top 11 products and services trending in 2022. They may inspire you to seek new opportunities in areas of the economy that are expected to boom, such as:

·         Artificial Intelligence

·         Software

·         Home Entertainment

·         Assistive Technologies, Products, and Services

·         “Non-Contact” Mobility

·         Gardening and Home DIY Projects

·         Work/Study from Home Products and Services

·         Kitchen Appliances, Cooking Shows, and Meal Kits

·         Pandemic-Related Products and Services

·         Natural Health Boosters

·         Body Care Products

Women must not wait for workplaces and home situations to change before improving their career prospects. There will never be a right time or perfect circumstance to create a career plan, especially if you’re trying to bounce back from job loss or an income reduction, but remember, your story counts, and the impact you have cannot be duplicated.

Career coaching for women and women of color can offer the right guidance and strategies to help rebuild your confidence, bridge the gaps, pivot your career goals, and figure out ways to best maximize what you already know, do, and love. Despite women in the workplace statistics and predictions, the bottom line is that your career is in your hands, and you can overcome any setback with a little time, guidance, and creativity.  

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