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Review
. 2021 Jul;31(4):389-396.
doi: 10.1002/hfm.20905. Epub 2021 May 12.

A heuristic international glimpse at SARS-CoV-2 effects on work-home equilibrium and women

Crystal J Gulotta  1 , Kirsten Madeira-Revell  2 , Mary E Fendley  3
Affiliations
Review

A heuristic international glimpse at SARS-CoV-2 effects on work-home equilibrium and women

Crystal J Gulotta et al. Hum Factors Ergon Manuf. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

This article takes a condensed look at the impact that SARS-CoV-2 has had on the work-life balance of women engineers across the world in industry, military and academia. The same impact has been felt by all women, not only in science, as it is this gender status that inevitably ties women together, facing the same challenges, and cannot be separated by category of employment, or lack thereof. Studies from around the world give us insight into how the pandemic has instigated changes and influenced choices made between work and domestic demands. Globally, women are burdened with challenges that may compromise their progression in male-dominated fields, such as engineering. Taking a glimpse at this issue for women through an international lens, we identify potential human factors methods to respond to this global problem, offering tools and forewarnings for improving our efforts in designing for, and maintaining equilibrium for women in engineering, technology, academia, and beyond.

Keywords: COVID‐19; SARS‐CoV‐2; gender; human factors; taskwork; women in engineering.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Operational Event Sequence Diagram representing distribution of tasks before lockdown relating to employment, childcare and education. This depicts a fair balanced of taskload between genders
Figure 2
Figure 2
Operational Event Sequence Diagram representing distribution of tasks during lockdown relating to employment, childcare and education. This depicts how the additional tasks falling on parents due to schools and support systems closing, typically result in a far greater burden on women
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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