Indian working women are more stressed than men as they work through the pandemic

Working through the pandemic has been stressful for everyone, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence Index findings corroborate that. According to the survey report, almost 50% of India’s working women are more stressed and anxious as they work through the pandemic. 

LinkedIn collected responses from 2,254 professionals between Jul 27 and August 23 and the reports revealed the pandemic’s impact on India’s working women. While India’s overall confidence has been growing slowly, it rose to a 57 from a 53 (for the fortnight of July 13 to July 26), the pandemic has been taking its toll on the emotional well-being of the workforce. 

Around 47% of India’s working women said that they are experiencing more stress and anxiety due to the pandemic while for men that percentage stood at 38%. These results point towards the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on women particularly for working mothers.

As per the survey, 31% of working mothers are providing childcare full time, compared to 17% working fathers as they work through the pandemic. One in three working mothers are handling the children full time as compared to one in five fathers. 

Also, more than 2 in 5 working mothers (44%) are working outside business hours to take care of their kids - this number is almost twice as much as the men doing the same thing. Only 25% of men are working outside business hours to do the same.

Data collected by LinkedIn also suggests that working moms are “more likely to bear the brunt of distractions from childcare while men seek support from friends and family”.

Survey results show that only 20% of the working moms rely on another family member or friend to take care of their child as compared to 32% of the fathers. And more than 46% working mothers are working till late to make up for work they are missing out on and 42% are unable to focus on work with kids at home.

"One factor is balancing office and domestic work - the bulk of the latter being shouldered by women. Studies reveal increased participation of men during the pandemic, but women still spend most time caring for children,” said Neha Bagaria, CEO, JobsForHer.

Besides unequal pay and opportunities at the workplace, the emotional well-being of women, particularly working mothers, is another point that requires thought and scrutiny. 

You can check out this particular Workforce Confidence Index here.