When Women Work for Free it Costs Us All

At this point, I think we’re all well aware that women, especially mothers to young children, have been bearing the brunt of caregiving duties, particularly during the pandemic. But what we aren’t talking about nearly enough is how all this free work is costing us all — I’m talking the entire US economy here — a hell of a lot of money.

Last week, Dr. Debra Whitman and I wrote an article for Fast Company about research that can only be described as: Are you serious?

For example: According to AARP’s report on the Economic Impact of Supporting Working Family Caregivers, if employers and governments put better support systems for working family caregivers in place, the US GDP would jump an extra $1.7 trillion by 2030, or 5.5% over current projections.

… That’s equivalent to the economy of New York State. So, yeah.

We’ve also got some actionable steps the public and private sectors can each take to actually move the needle here. If the goal right now is a stronger post-pandemic economy, this would be the place to start.

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Thoughts on a shorter work week?

Iceland is going to a 4-day work week and Kickstarter just announced they’re implementing a pilot program (not 5 days shoved into 4 either). On Instagram, we asked, would this make you more productive or would you struggle to get things done? Here’s what you said:

MORE PRODUCTIVE

96%


	Struggle city	4%

“A 4-day week would allow me a better work/life balance. It would allow me to reconnect, recharge, and be productive.”

– Elle Raiser @dr.rueda on what a 4-day work week would mean right now

A tweet from @brittanisade that says “Shoutout to the women who have been juggling being a mother and working woman, life, and/or navigating a pandemic. To the women who do it all, with a smile. The women who make it look easy. Make sure to take a moment for yourself, you deserve it. I hope you have an amazing day.”

Woman waving from a computer while another walks toward a globe inside a glass case with an on-off switch. Illustration.

Something’s gotta give

Is that thing your employer? Get help from a career coach at every step of the job search process.

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What we’re reading, watching, and need. to. discuss.

•	A study covered by The 19th found that moms with young children spent about eight hours a day on child care last year. “It’s the acknowledgement that child care was basically a full-time job.”
•	File under: We saw this coming. Women’s medals made up 59% of Team USA’s 113 total, which topped the medal count in Tokyo
•	Ina supporting Katie supporting Allyson makes us 😍.
•	Socially conscious investor? We see you. Nerdwallet just named the eight best robo-advisors for ESG investing. (Also … hurrah! Ellevest made the list.*)
•	Proof that hiring top talent is going to require more and more companies to dangle some serious perks.
•	Lol. @katieburrelltv is creating space for all athletes and doing literally everything right now.

Put investing on the end-of-summer calendar.

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💰Opinionated: How Much Does Women’s Free Work Cost Us?

When Women Work for Free it Costs Us All

Thoughts on a shorter work week?

“A 4-day week would allow me a better work/life balance. It would allow me to reconnect, recharge, and be productive.”

Something’s gotta give

What we’re reading, watching, and need. to. discuss.

Put investing on the end-of-summer calendar.

This week’s newsletter was brought to you while lost in translation. Forward it to your friends who love lists.

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