Future of work

This paper argues that in previous US recessions, men experienced higher rates of unemployment than women; however, in the current recession, it is the reverse. Women have experienced high levels of unemployment because their jobs are concentrated in sectors hit hard by the pandemic, such as food services and tourism, and because of increased childcare needs due to school and daycare closures. Using a quantitative macroeconomic model, the authors find that in this pandemic recession, few married workers can rely on the role of families as a shock absorber. They also find that a pandemic recession results in both direct employment losses in the short-term and then long-term losses due to low employment for both genders. Lastly, the authors argue that because of newfound workplace flexibility and more equal childcare between men and women, the pandemic recession may ultimately lessen gender inequality in the long-term.