The article discusses how COVID-19 is affecting Canadian women in finance, particularly those with children at home. Many are finding it challenging to balance work and family responsibilities, and some are considering opting out of their careers altogether. The article cites several examples of women who are working from home while caring for their children, including Sarah Neilson, a co-manager of $4.5 billion in assets for RBC Global Asset Management.
The article also quotes experts, such as Sarah Kaplan, director of the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, who warn that if highly paid, highly educated women start to opt out of business, it could have significant consequences. Kaplan notes that this could "literally be an undoing of everything we’ve done over the last three decades."
The article highlights the importance of employer flexibility and eliminating the stigma that prevents working mothers from asking for support. It also suggests that men may be having a "wakeup call" as they juggle childcare responsibilities at home, which could lead to greater understanding and support for working women.
Overall, the article suggests that COVID-19 is setting Canadian women in finance back by decades, particularly those with children at home. It emphasizes the need for flexible work arrangements and greater support for working mothers to help them balance their careers and family responsibilities.
Some possible follow-up questions or points of discussion based on this article could include:
- What specific policies or initiatives can employers implement to better support working mothers during the pandemic?
- How can men play a more active role in supporting working women, particularly in the finance industry?
- What are some potential solutions for highly paid, highly educated women who may be considering opting out of their careers due to family responsibilities?
- How can we measure and track the impact of COVID-19 on working mothers in Canada, and what data or metrics should be used to assess this issue?
