Majority of Parents Say COVID-19 Child Care Duties Have Hurt Their Careers

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Aug 05, 2021, 10:15 ET

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- More than six out of 10 U.S. adults with children under the age of 18 (62%) believe their child care and virtual schooling duties during the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected their ability to get ahead in their job or career, according to results from the latest American Staffing Association Workforce Monitor® survey conducted by The Harris Poll among 2,066 U.S. adults, including 1,070 parents and 605 parents of children under 18.

People of color are more likely to say child care duties have been a career obstacle during COVID-19. Seven in 10 Black/African American parents (70%) and 62% of Hispanic/Latino parents believe their opportunities for career advancement were negatively affected by their child care and virtual schooling duties during COVID-19, compared with 51% of White/Caucasian parents.

The study also found that 60% of men agree that added responsibilities in caring for their children during the pandemic has hurt their careers, while 51% of women agree.

"Work–life balance became a thing of the past for many parents during the COVID-19 pandemic," said Richard Wahlquist, president and chief executive officer. "Parents are feeling left behind in their careers and in their workplaces. As businesses continue to bring employees back to office, employers need to support workers with children to ensure that they remain part of the labor force and clearly understand their options for career development and growth."

To learn more about the ASA Workforce Monitor, visit americanstaffing.net/workforcemonitor. You can also follow ASA research on Twitter.

Method
The Harris Poll conducted the survey online within the U.S. on behalf of ASA June 10–14, 2021, among a total of 2,066 U.S. adults age 18 and older, including 1,070 parents and 605 parents of children under 18. Results were weighted on age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, household income, marital status, household size, and geographic region where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the U.S. population. In addition, the data were adjusted for differences between the online and offline populations.

About the American Staffing Association
The American Staffing Association is the voice of the U.S. staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions industry. ASA and its state affiliates advance the interests of the industry across all sectors through advocacy, research, education, and the promotion of high standards of legal, ethical, and professional practices. For more information about ASA, visit americanstaffing.net.

About the ASA Workforce Monitor   
The ASA Workforce Monitor is a periodic survey commissioned by ASA and conducted online by The Harris Poll among 2,000 or more U.S. adults age 18 and older. The survey series focuses on current workforce trends and issues. For more information about the survey series, visit americanstaffing.net/workforcemonitor.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S.—tracking public opinion, motivations, and social sentiment since 1963—that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. To learn more, visit theharrispoll.com.

Contact
Megan Sweeney
American Staffing Association
703-253-1151
[email protected]

Riley McBride Smith
Allison+Partners
202-591-1125
[email protected]

SOURCE American Staffing Association