Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access

Women working from home during COVID-19 : An Analysis


Affiliations
1 KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar, India
2 Itisaras (Registered Non-Profit Organization), Delhi, India
 

Purpose: This paper reviews different media sources to understand the experiences of Indian women working from home between March, 2020 and September, 2020 during the Covid-19 induced lockdown in India. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted on Google search engine using keywords like Indian working women, work during Covid-19, work from home during pandemic, etc. Relevant data and information from 52 online print media outlets were selected to be included in this review. Findings: After careful analysis of the selected articles, three main themes emerged and were found to be repeated with gradual development across the seven months (March, 2020 - September, 2020). Originality/Value: It is hoped that this thematic and chronological analysis will help in giving a clear outlook on the problems women are facing while working from home during the pandemic, and suggest effective measures that can be taken in the coming future to resolve the same. Based on our research, such an online print media based analysis has not been conducted by other studies. This paper tries to reach out to the very core of the chosen topic by looking at online media because actual problems of real women were reported there. It tries to feel the pulse of the Indian society and the challenges that the women are facing everyday during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keywords

Indian Working Women, Work-Life Balance, Work During Covid-19, Work from Home During Pandemic, Working During Lockdown.
User
Notifications
Font Size

  • Research Articles:
  • Bartik, A. W., Cullen, Z. B., Glaeser, E. L., Luca, M., & Stanton, C. T. (2020). What jobs are being done at home during the COVID-19 crisis? Evidence from firmlevel surveys (No. w27422). National Bureau of Economic Research.
  • Crump, B. J., Logan, K. A., & McIlroy, A. (2007). Does gender still matter? A study of the views of women in the ICT industry in New Zealand. Gender, Work & Organization, 14(4), 349-370.
  • Gausman, J., & Langer, A. (2020). Sex and gender disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Women’s Health, 29(4), 465-466.
  • Grover, S., Sahoo, S., Mehra, A., Avasthi, A., Tripathi, A., Subramanyan, A., ...& Chakraborty, K. (2020). Psychological impact of COVID-19 lockdown: An online survey from India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(4), 354.
  • Jungari, S. (2020). Maternal mental health in India during COVID-19. Public Health, 185, 97.
  • Kim, H., & Voos, P. B. (2007). The Korean economic crisis and working women. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 37(2), 190208.
  • Kramer, A., & Kramer, K. Z. (2020). The potential impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on occupational status, work from home, and occupational mobility.
  • Lancet, T. (2020). India under COVID-19 lockdown. Lancet (London, England), 395(10233), 1315.
  • Lewnard, J. A., & Lo, N. C. (2020). Scientific and ethical basis for social-distancing interventions against COVID-19. The Lancet. Infectious diseases, 20(6), 631.
  • Olson, M. H., & Primps, S. B. (1984). Working at home with computers: Work and nonwork issues. Journal of Social Issues, 40(3), 97-112.
  • Power, K. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the care burden of women and families. Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, 16(1), 67-73.
  • Pulla, P. (2020). Covid-19: India imposes lockdown for 21 days and cases rise.
  • Russell, H., O’Connell, P. J., & McGinnity, F. (2009). The impact of flexible working arrangements on work–life conflict and work pressure in Ireland. Gender, Work & Organization, 16(1), 73-97.
  • Sahin, A. R., Erdogan, A., Agaoglu, P. M., Dineri, Y., Cakirci, A. Y., Senel, M. E., ...& Tasdogan, A. M. (2020). 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: a review of the current literature. EJMO, 4(1), 1-7.
  • Stone, P., & Lovejoy, M. (2004). Fast-track women and the “choice” to stay home.The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 596(1), 62-83
  • Zhang, J., Xie, C., Wang, J., Morrison, A. M., & Coca-Stefaniak, J. A. (2020). Responding to a major global crisis: The effects of hotel safety leadership on employee safety behavior during COVID-19. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management.
  • Website Articles:
  • Arora, K. and Kumar, S. (2020, August 03). Locked-down: Domestic Violence Reporting in India during COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.oxfamindia.org/blog/locked-down-domestic-violence-reporting-india-during-covid-19
  • Beniwal, V. (2020, June 26). The Virus Has Made India’s Devastating Gender Gap Even Worse. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-06-25/india-coronavirus-lockdown-hits-women-hard-worsening-gender-gap
  • Bhattacharya, R. and Vijayraghavan, K. (2020, October 07). For most women, it’s WFH and work at home; companies sensitising male employees to pitch in and help. Retrieved from
  • https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/for-most-womenitswfh-and-work-at-home-companiessensitisingmale-employees-to-pitchin-and-help/articleshow/78528672.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
  • Butalia, U. (2020, July 17). How has the pandemic changed work and life for women in publishing (and for feminist publishers)? Retrieved from https://scroll.in/article/967706/how-has-the-pandemic-changed-work-and-life-forwomenin-publishing-and-for-feminist-publishers
  • Charatan, D.H. (2020, August 26). Will The WFH Revolution Leave Female Leaders Behind? Retrieved from https://chiefexecutive.net/will-the-wfh-revolution-leave-female-leaders-behind/
  • Corona impact: Gender pay gap likely to get worse as more women get laid off, take time off work. (2020, March 21). Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/corona-impact-gender-pay-gap-likely-to-get-worse-as-more-women-getlaid-off-take-time-off-work/article-show/74910140.cms
  • Coronavirus Layoffs Could Erase Many of Women’s Workplace Gains. (2020, March 26). Retrieved from https://www.catalyst.org/2020/03/26/coronavirus-layoffs-could-erase-many-of-womens-work-place-gains/
  • Coronavirus Pandemic Will Push 47 Million More Women, Girls into Extreme Poverty by 2021: UN. (2020, September 3).Retrieved from https://www.india.com/news/world/coronavirus-pandemicwill-push-47-million-more-womengirls-into-extreme-poverty-by-2021un-4129938/
  • Covid-19: Why Are Women More Vulnerable To Mental Health Issues? (2020, May 5). Retrieved from https://feminisminindia.com/2020/05/05/covid-19-women-vulnerable-mental-health-issues/
  • Covid-19: Women are likely to experience greater loss of employment than men.(2020, August 18).Retrieved from https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/covid-19-women-are-likely-to-experience-greater-loss-of-employment-than-men/2057954/
  • Das, M. (2020, August 25). Domestic Abuse and Covid-19: The Rising Cases of Women Fighting Multiple Battles. Retrieved from https://nenow.in/opinion/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19-the-rising-cases-of-women-fighting-multiple-battles-2.html
  • Das, S. (2020, September 2). Domestic Workers Protest In Chennai Over Job Loss, Ignorance During Pandemic. Retrieved from https://thelogicalindian.com/protestandinjustice/domestic-workers-protest-in-chennai-over-job-loss-ignorance-during-pandemic-23471
  • Despande, A. (2020, April 1). How India’s lockdown has put women at a greater disadvantage.Retrieved from https://scroll.in/article/957787/how-indias-lockdown-has-put-women-in-middle-class-homes-at-a-greater-disadvantage
  • Dutta, S. (2020, September 22). WFH fashion: Three women in their 20s share what they are wearing to work these days. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fashion/wfh-fashionthree-women-in-their-20s-share-why-dressing-up-comfortably-for-work-is-the-norm-these-days-6566737/
  • Godin, M. (2020, March 18). As Cities Around the World Go on Lockdown, Victims of Domestic Violence Look for a Way Out. Retrieved from https://time.com/5803887/coronavirus-domestic-violence-victims/
  • Kakodkar, P. (2020, June 6). Women’s employment hit harder by lockdown’. Retrieved from
  • http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/76227528.cms?from=mdr&utm_source=contentofinterest& utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
  • Kamdar, B. (2020, April 27). India’s COVID–19 Gender Blind Spot. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/indias-covid-19-gender-blind-spot/
  • Kapur, M.(2020, September 11).Work from home in India is disproportionately stressing out mothers. Retrieved from https://qz.com/india/1902092/covid-19-work-from-home-more-stressful-for-indian-women-than-men/
  • Kasarla, H. (2020, May 2). India’s Lockdown Is Blind to the Woes of Its Women. Retrieved from https://thewire.in/women/indias-lockdown-is-blind-to-the-woes-of-its-women
  • Kumar, K.B. (2020, June 12). Is work from home feasible in the long run? Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/is-work-from-home-feasible-in-the-long-run/article31807666.ece
  • Kumar, S. and Rana, M. (2020, June 3). Lockdown reinforced gender roles, more women abused. Retrieved from https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/030620/lockdown-reinforced-gender-roles-more-women-abused.html
  • Lal, N. (2020, April 17). India’s ‘Shadow Pandemic’. Retrieved from https://thediplomat.com/2020/04/indias-shadow-pandemic/
  • Mantri,G.(2020, August 14).The pandemic has set back women’s progress in the workplace. Retrieved from https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pandemic-has-set-back-women-s-progress-workplace130731
  • Mathur, N. (2020, September 10). Nearly 50per cent of India’s working women more stressed due to pandemic: LinkedIn. Retrieved from https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/nearly-50-of-india-s-working-women-more-stressed-due-to-pandemic-linkedin-11599722943378.html
  • Mehrotra, K. (2020, July 24).More domestic violence complaints in red zones during lockdown: study. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/india/more-domestic-violence-complaints-in-red-zones-during-lockdownstudy6520868/
  • Mehta, R. (2020, September 18). What prompted #ActAgainstAbuse: Domestic violence has swelled into a shadow pandemic alongside Covid-19. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/what-prompted-actagainstabuse-domestic-violence-has-swelled-into-a-shadow-pandemic-along-side-covid-19/
  • Mehta, S.K.(2020, August). Impact of Covid-19 on Working Women. Retrived from https://indianwomennetwork.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Impact-of-COVID-19-on-Working-Women_August-2020.pdf
  • Mukundan, S.R. (2020, July 21). Care Work in the Time of COVID-19: Women’s Unpaid Care Burden in Four Charts. Retrieved from https://www.my.undp.org/content/malaysia/en/home/blog/2020/care-work-in-the-time-of-covid19--womens-unpaid-care-burden-in-0.html
  • Nagaraj,A.(2020,July 5). In India, women garment workers are being forced to leave their jobs because of this one reason. Retrieved from https://scroll.in/article/966203/in-india-women-garment-workers-are-being-forced-to-leave-their-jobs-because-of-this-onereason
  • News 18. (2020, August 26). WFH is Destroying Work-life Balance and Affecting Mental Health amid Pandemic. Retrieved from https://www.news18.com/news/buzz/wfh-is-destroying-work-life-balance-and-affecting-mental-health-amid-pandemic-2821601.html
  • Nigam, S. (2020, May 14). Covid-19: India’s Response to Domestic Violence Needs Rethinking. Retrieved from http://southasiajournal.net/covid-19-indias-response-to-domestic-violence-needs-rethinking/
  • Norris, S. and Torrisi, C. (2020, September 23). COVID-19 hasn’t killed sexual harassment at work – it’s just moved online. Retrieved from https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/covid19-sexual-harassment-work-online/
  • Perret, C. (2020, April 8). Nearly 60per cent of people who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic are women, according to report. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/nearly-60-of-people-who-have-lost-their-jobs-due-to-the-coronavirus-pandemic-are-women-according-to-report/articleshow/75053922.cms
  • Prakash, S. (2020, June 17). Covid pushed women back decades. India can’t be ‘atmanirbhar’ without bailing them out. Retrieved from https://theprint.in/opinion/india-cant-be-atmanirbhar-withoutbailing-women-out/442894/
  • Punit, I.S. (2020, March 27). Social distancing from house help is exposing the sexism in Indian families. Retrieved from https://scroll.in/article/957299/social-distancing-from-house-help-is-exposing-the-sexism-in-indian-families
  • Ratnam, D. (2020, April 26). Domestic violence during Covid-19 lockdown emerges as serious concern. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/domestic-violence-during-covid-19-lockdown-emerges-as-serious-concern/storymMRq3NnnFvOehgLOOPpe8J.html
  • Rukmini, S. (2020, June 11). How covid-19 locked out women from jobs. Retrieved from https://www.livemint.com/news/india/how-covid-19-locked-out-women-from-jobs-11591772350206.html
  • Roy, S. (2020, August 15). Opinion I When will the Indian male be truly ‘atmanirbhar’ at home? Retrieved from https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/opinion-i-when-will-the-indian-male-be-truly-atmanirbhar-at-home11597388330317.html
  • Sahoo, P. (2020, August 04). Lockdown hit more workers from lower castes, reveals study by university in Haryana. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/lockdown-hit-more-workers-from-lower-castes-reveals-study-by-university-in-haryana/story-wkIfltjnSCQv8p0vE01XAP.html
  • Sarkar, B. (2020, July 20). Five in ten women facing motivational challenges in work-from-home scenario: Survey. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/five-in-ten-womenfacing-motivational-challenges-in-work-from-home-scenario-survey/articleshow/77060437.cms
  • Schomer, S. (2020, April 21). Male and Female Workers Are Experiencing COVID-19 Very Differently. Retrieved fromhttps://www.entrepreneur.com/article/349534
  • Schultz, K. and Raj, S. (2020, June 9). For Indian Women, the Coronavirus Economy Is a Devastating Setback. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/world/asia/india-coronavirus-women-economy.html
  • Shah, K. (2020, May 17). How COVID-19 is amplifying gender inequality in India. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/coronavirus-gender-in-equality-india-6414659/
  • Srivastava, A. (2020, March 23). Women Might Get More Affected By COVID-19, Economically & Medically. Retrieved from https://www.shethepeople.tv/blog/women-affected-covid-19-economically-medically/
  • Survey Finds One in 2 Working Women in India Suffering From Covid-19 Related Stress. (2020, September 10). Retrieved from https://www.news18.com/news/india/survey-finds-one-in-2-working-women-in-india-suffering-from-covid-19-related-stress-2865213.html
  • Swaminathan, M. (2020, July 04). Reset rural job policies, recognise women’s work. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/reset-rural-job-policies-recognise-womens-work/article31984168.ece
  • The New Indian Express. (2020, June 01). COVID-19 lockdown: Working women complain of ‘online’ sexual harassment, say experts. Retrieved from https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2020/jun/01/covid-19-lockdown-working-women-complain-of-online-sexual-harassment-say-experts-2150824.html
  • The Wire. (2020, March 30). Coronavirus Pandemic: The Policies We Need to Be Ready for the Long Haul. Retrieved from https://thewire.in/government/coronavirus-long-haul-comprehensive-relief-policy-framework
  • Web Foundation. (2020, July 14). There’s a pandemic of online violence against women and girls. Retrieved from https://webfoundation.org/2020/07/theres-apandemicof-online-violence-against-women-and-girls/
  • Westmarland, N. and Bellini, R. (March 24, 2020). Coronavirus lockdown is a danger for victims of domestic violence. Here’s what to do. Retrieved from https://theprint.in/features/coronavirus-lockdownis-a-danger-for-victims-of-domestic-violence-heres-what-to-do/386864/
  • What India’s lockdown did to domestic abuse victims. (2020, June 2). Retrived from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52846304
  • Women, people in semi-urban areas bear the brunt of job losses. (2020, May 16). Retrieved from https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/women-people-in-semiurban-areas-bear-the-brunt-of-job-losses/1836606

Abstract Views: 454

PDF Views: 0




  • Women working from home during COVID-19 : An Analysis

Abstract Views: 454  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Gargi Banerjee
KIIT School of Management, Bhubaneswar, India
Indrani Pati
Itisaras (Registered Non-Profit Organization), Delhi, India

Abstract


Purpose: This paper reviews different media sources to understand the experiences of Indian women working from home between March, 2020 and September, 2020 during the Covid-19 induced lockdown in India. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted on Google search engine using keywords like Indian working women, work during Covid-19, work from home during pandemic, etc. Relevant data and information from 52 online print media outlets were selected to be included in this review. Findings: After careful analysis of the selected articles, three main themes emerged and were found to be repeated with gradual development across the seven months (March, 2020 - September, 2020). Originality/Value: It is hoped that this thematic and chronological analysis will help in giving a clear outlook on the problems women are facing while working from home during the pandemic, and suggest effective measures that can be taken in the coming future to resolve the same. Based on our research, such an online print media based analysis has not been conducted by other studies. This paper tries to reach out to the very core of the chosen topic by looking at online media because actual problems of real women were reported there. It tries to feel the pulse of the Indian society and the challenges that the women are facing everyday during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keywords


Indian Working Women, Work-Life Balance, Work During Covid-19, Work from Home During Pandemic, Working During Lockdown.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.23862/kiit-parikalpana%2F2020%2Fv16%2Fi1-2%2F204566