It is feared that COVID-19 will have a devastating impact on workplace equality and undermine business efforts worldwide to address the issue head-on. This report delves into people’s opinions about the pandemic’s influence on gender parity and workplace policies. Business leaders can leverage this data in their decision-making.

Gender equality in the workplace has continued to lag behind gender equality in society. The ongoing pandemic not only threatens to slow down this global movement but may also reverse any significant progress made so far. Simply put, women seem to have borne the maximum brunt of the economic impact as businesses of all sizes across the UK continue to face closures amid rising infection rates. Do Britons agree with these changing dynamics and how worried are they about this regressive effect, if at all? Piplsay polled 6,076 people nationwide, comprising 52% women and 48% men, to get some insights. Here is a summary of what we found:

Other Insights

• 45% of women and 38% of men think female employees are more at risk of losing their jobs than men
• 69% of women and 71% of men believe companies should adopt flexible work policies that allow for equal parenting
• 55% of women fear the pandemic will further widen the gender pay gap as compared to 45% of men

Survey Methodology: This Piplsay survey was conducted nationwide in the UK from February 21-23, 2021. We received 6,076 online responses from individuals aged 18 years and older.