In August 2020, Fairygodboss surveyed 400 women employed full-time to learn more about how they're handling workplace and childcare responsibilities during the pandemic. Survey results show that working mothers are a bit reluctant to ask for help, but are still receiving it from colleagues and managers. Working moms with young children also tend to be harder on themselves than moms with older children and women without children. Explore the report to learn more.

1. The Workload Divide Between
Working Parents and Non-Parents
During COVID-19
August 2020

2. Executive Summary
In August 2020, Fairygodboss surveyed 400 women employed
full time to learn more about how they're handling workplace
and childcare responsibilities during the pandemic. Survey
results show that working mothers are a bit reluctant to ask
for help, but are still receiving it from colleagues and
managers. Working moms with young children also tend to be
harder on themselves than moms with older children and
women without children. Explore the report to learn more.

3. Do you have
children?
Are any of your
children under the
age of 13?
NO
39%
YES
62%
NO
57%
YES
43%
*Individuals with children

4. Have you asked your boss for adjusted
accommodations (different hours, lighter
workload) to care for your child?
Yes and my manager/
boss allowed me to have
adjusted accommoda7ons
Yes, but my manager/boss
did not allow me to have
adjusted accommoda7ons
No, I didn't ask my
manager/boss for adjusted
accommoda7ons, but I
have been given them
No, I have not asked my
manager/boss for adjusted
accommoda7ons,
but I do need them
No, I didn't ask my
manager/boss for adjusted
accommoda7ons because
I don’t need them
85%
6%3%0%
6%
39%
6%
11%
4%
40%
65%
6%7%
2%
21%
Individuals with children Individuals with children under 13 Individuals with children over 13

5. Do you know of colleagues (or managers)
who have helped with your responsibilities
due to your adjusted accommodations?
62%
38%
36%
64%
30%
70%
*Individuals with children over 13
*Individuals with children under 13
*Individuals with children
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES

6. Have you specifically asked colleagues (or
managers) to help with responsibilities
due to your adjusted accommodations?
*Individuals with children over 13
*Individuals with children under 13
NO
YES
NO
YES
NO
YES
85%
15%
58%
42%
52%
48%
*Individuals with children

7. NO
86%
YES
14%
Have you had to take on any additional
responsibilities in recent months to help
out colleagues who are working parents?
*Individuals without children

8. How many hours/week do you spend on
work that was previously done by your
colleague(s) who are working parents?
50%
32%
3-5
0-2
6-9
10+
9%
9%
*Individuals without children

9. Are you receiving increased pay or a
promotion because of the additional work
you've done to help your colleague(s)?
Yes, I’m receiving (or expect
to receive) increased pay
Yes, I’m receiving (or expect
to receive) a promotion
No, I’m receiving neither
Yes, I’m receiving (or expect
to receive) both increased
pay and a promotion
*Individuals without children
14%
32%
0%
86%
0%

10. How much longer are you willing to help cover
your colleague(s)’s work and responsibilities?
14%
9%
36%
32%
4-6 more months
7 more months - 1 year
Over a year longer / For
as long as they need help
0-3 more months
I no longer want to cover
my colleague’s work and
responsibilities.
9%
*Individuals without children

11. Should working parents who need
accommodations (decreased workload/hours)
receive a pay decrease or title demotion?
Yes, to both Yes, they should
receive a pay decrease
Yes, they should
receive a 7tle demo7on
No, they should not
receive a pay decrease
or 7tle demo7on
74%
1%
13%12%
All Individuals

12. Should working parents who need
accommodations (decreased workload/hours)
receive a pay decrease or title demotion?
Yes, to both Yes, they should
receive a pay decrease
Yes, they should
receive a 7tle demo7on
No, they should not
receive a pay decrease
or 7tle demo7on
77%
1%
12%11%
70%
0%
11%
20%
75%
1%
16%
8%
Individuals without children Individuals with children under 13 Individuals with children over 13

13. 25-34 25%
35-44 24%
45-54 23%
55-64 22%
65+ 7%
Age
White 69%
Hispanic or Latino 6%
Black or African American 14%
Asian / Pacific Islander 6%
Other / Multiracial / Prefer not to say 6%
Ethnicity
400
TOTAL RESPONDENTS
Respondent Demographics