Fairygodboss and nFormation surveyed 800 individuals who identify as Women of Color to learn more about their experiences in the workplace and understand how many of them are planning to leave the workforce and why they're leaving.

1. MoreWomenofColor
arereadytoLeavethe
Workforce
March 2021
+

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Fairygodboss and nForma.on surveyed 800 individuals who iden.fy as Women of Color
to learn more about their experiences in the workplace and understand how many of them
are planning to leave the workforce and why they're leaving.
Among key findings, nearly half of respondents who are currently employed are
considering leaving their jobs and more than anything else, aEribute their decision to
feelings of burnout. Our survey also found that 2 in 3 women plan to leave their jobs
within the year, meaning 1 in 3 of all Women of Color currently in the workplace plan to
leave their jobs by next year.
Read the full report to learn more.

3. 19%
43%
Yes, full time Yes, part time No, I’m recently
unemployed as
of 2020 or 2021
No, I’ve been
unemployed
prior to 2020
Are you currently employed?
27%
12%

4. Nearly half of Women of Color respondents
have considered leaving their jobs.
At any point during the past year, have you considered
leaving your job or are you currently considering?
*Only respondents currently employed
Yes No
46% 54%

5. Women of color
are feeling
burnt out and
looking to fulfill
a greater sense
of purpose as we
emerge from
COVID-19.
Why did you consider leaving your job?
(Check all that apply)
*Only respondents who have considered leaving their jobs
7%
10%
16%
17%
27%
47%
47%
51%
Increased responsibilities
due to COVID including
childcare or elder care
Feelings of burnout
Considered pursuing a
different career / looking
to find a greater purpose
For reasons related to
salary and/or benefits
To find an employer that
better aligned with my values
Issues related to a manager,
colleagues (including micro-
aggressions, combative behavior)
Issues related to company
culture (racism, sexism, etc.)
Other (ex: relocated,
considering retirement)

6. 2 in 3 women who are considering leaving
their jobs plan to exit by next year.
How soon do you see yourself
leaving your current role?
*Only respondents who have considered leaving their jobs
3%
12%
18%
24%
25%
18%
0-3 months 4-6 months 7-12 months Over a
year
I’m no longer
considering
leaving my job
Other

7. 2%
14%
21%
25%
28%
36%
Covid is causing women to
reconsider their career paths.
How has COVID impacted your
decision to leave your job?
*Only respondents who have considered leaving their jobs
It solidified
my decision
It sped up
my decision
It made me
question if my
career path is the
right one for me
It had no
impact on
my decision
It made me
reconsider
leaving
Other
2%

8. 2%
4%
7%
8%
8%
10%
61%
Why are you currently unemployed?
*Only respondents who said they were unemployed as of 2020 or 2021
Chose to leave due to increased
COVID responsibili.es including
childcare or elder care
Chose to leave due to burn out
Chose to leave to pursue a different career
or find a job beEer aligned with my values
Chose to leave for reasons related
to salary and/or benefits
Chose to leave due to issues with manager
and/or colleagues (incl. micro-aggressions)
Chose to leave because of company-wide
social issues (racism, sexism, etc.)
Laid off due to
personal reasons
or COVID
62%
10%
8%
8%
7%
4%
2%

9. 7%
7%
14%
14%
27%
29%
30%
50%
What could your company do or have done to make you stay
at your current or most recent position? (Check all that apply)
Not only do Women of Color want to be paid
(and promoted) what they're worth, but they
want more flexible work environments.
*Only respondents considering leaving or who choose to leave the workforce recently
Give me a
raise or
promotion
Give me
more
time off
Implement a
more flexible
work policy
(WFH, flex
hours)
Start an ERG
or safe space
for WOC to
connect
Provide more
networking &
mentorship
opportunities
Make a public
commitment
to increasing
& supporting
diversity
initiatives
Nothing Other

10. 18%
19%
47%
8%
8%
How satisfied are you with your current or most
recent company’s D&I efforts and initiatives?
Despite lofty statements about commitments to
diversity, nearly 2/3 of Women of Color aren't satisfied
with their company's Diversity & Inclusion initiatives.
Not at all satisfied Not very satisfied Neither satisfied
nor disappointed
Somewhat satisfied Completely satisfied
they have done
nothing or their D&I
efforts have failed
they've started
the work but still
have more to do
they've done
good work but
aren't there yet
they've done the best
job they can do with
their D&I efforts

11. Do you feel your most recent company has/had proper processes
in place if you reported an incident of structural racism?
39%
60% of Women of Color feel their
companies are not properly prepared to
handle racist incidents in the workplace.
Yes
No
40%
21%
Unsure
39%
?

12. Women of Color have very different workplace
experiences than their white peers.
Here's what respondents had to say:
"I had to do a
powerpoint specific
to a cultural new year
because no one else
celebrated it."
"I'm under
more scrutiny,
constantly."
"I have to work harder to combat
stereotypes of laziness and
incompetence. I'm often told
that I'm a smart person, as
though it's not expected of me."
"I think I have to be more
careful of the things I say
and the way I manage social
relationships so I won't
bring any unnecessary
animosity on myself."
"I feel like I'm a token for a lot of
discussions on DEI. Sometimes I just
want to sit and listen. My feelings and
concerns have been dismissed unless I
got a particular white male colleague's
ear and he spoke up for me. When
important meetings have happened
concerning MY job duties, I've been
left out of the conversation."
"I'm often thought of as of
being "less than" given my
mixed heritage. I'm often
spoken down to, with
people speaking to me as
if I can't comprehend or
speak English."
"Due to the way
you are viewed by
society, it leaves no
room to be yourself."

13. Where do we
go from here?
Employers & Colleagues:
Take a critical look at what you're asking of Women of
Color employees and/or colleagues versus what you're
offering them in return. Burnout is real and everyone is
feeling the negative impacts, so whether it's implementing
a more flexible workday, offering more time off or simply
offering a helping hand to a colleague, if you can find a
way to ease that burden, do it.
Get serious about (and get involved in) Diversity and
Inclusion initiatives. Invest the proper resources and time
into defining your D&I strategy and, when appropriate, ask
for feedback on what you can do better. And if you haven't
yet attended any of your company's non-mandatory D&I
meetings or events, now's the time to start.
Re-evaluate your company culture and practices to ensure
that everyone feels safe and heard. Be proactive and get
ahead of incidents that may harm marginalized groups of
employees by ensuring that you have the proper processes
and procedures in place should any hateful events occur.
As an employee, familiarize yourself with these procedures
and if you witness any negative remarks or incidents,
speak up or bring it up to the proper authority figures in
your company.
1.
2.
3.

14. Where do we
go from here?
Women of Color:
Know that you are not alone and ask for help when
you need it. Reach out to supportive communities like
Fairygodboss and nFormation to connect with other
women who have gone through similar experiences or
who can offer a different perspective to help you
thrive in the workplace and in your career.
If you do decide to leave, take time to evaluate new
opportunities fully. Talk to other Women of Color who
work at the company or recently left, ask lots of
questions, and use all the available resources to vet
workplaces to ensure that you're going into a space
where you can be your true and authentic self.

15. About
Fairygodboss
Fairygodboss is the largest career community for
women. Our mission is to improve the workplace by
increasing transparency and we provide millions of
women with free resources like job listings, virtual
recruiting events, community advice, and the hard-to-
find information about how companies treat women.
Fairygodboss works with more than 150 major US
companies to help them attract top talent and
enhance their employer brand among women. By
partnering with us, employers can increase the
number of qualified applicants to their open
positions, engage their current workforce and
leverage their endorsements, and share their story
about why they are a great place for women to work.
About
nFormation
nFormation is a first-of-its-kind community
created by women of color for women of color.
It is a vetted, membership-based technology
platform for high-performing WOC that seeks
to reimagine traditional power structures to not
just help more WOC take their seat at the table
but to change the way the table is formed.
nFormation provides safe, brave and new space
for WOC leaders to gather and a unique board
and executive placement plus extended success
service that includes individual and corporate
coaching, feedback and support for two years
post-placement.
Learn More Learn More

16. SURVEY RESPONDENTS
1%
1%
13%
17%
18%
50%
Ethnicity
Black
La.na
Mul.-racial/Other
Asian
Indian
Na.ve American
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55+ 15%
21%
29%
30%
5%
age
Gender
100% Women