Disparities in COVID-19 Impacts on Work Hours and Career Satisfaction by Gender and Race among Scientists in the US: An Online Survey Study

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work–life balance may be unequal between female and male scientists. Further information is needed regarding whether the working conditions and career satisfaction for women and racialized scientists are disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This online survey collected data from 1171 scientists in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and medicine (STEMM), public health, or other areas of science/engineering working in the US to examine potential disparities in changes in work hours and career satisfaction by gender and race/ethnicity. A significantly higher percentage of women reported increased work hours compared to men. Women, especially racialized women, experienced disproportionately higher increases in teaching and service than the other groups, which contributed to the increased total work hours for women. Satisfaction with the current career progress was lowest for racialized women compared to their counterparts. Our results indicate that the pandemic has inequitably affected allocation of workloads and career satisfaction by gender and race in scientific fields. Institutions of higher education and other research organizations should acknowledge the gender/race differences in science before and during the pandemic to better support the career development and achievement of all scientists, especially women and even more so racialized women.

COVID‐19 and K‐12 teachers: Associations between mental health, job satisfaction, perceived support, and experiences of ageism and sexism

“…Throughout the pandemic, these gendered expectations in the workplace have taken a significant toll on women's well‐being and satisfaction in their professions (Hennein et al., 2023) . Men have reported greater career satisfaction compared to women, which may be in part due to sexist cultural expectations which include women's increased responsibilities outside of the workplace (e.g., caretaking) (Heo et al., 2022; Power, 2020). An online survey of 1171 U.S. science workers (e.g., public health researchers) revealed that women were expected to work longer hours compared to men and that women, particularly women of color, reported lower career satisfaction (Heo et al., 2022).…”

“…Men have reported greater career satisfaction compared to women, which may be in part due to sexist cultural expectations which include women's increased responsibilities outside of the workplace (e.g., caretaking) (Heo et al., 2022; Power, 2020). An online survey of 1171 U.S. science workers (e.g., public health researchers) revealed that women were expected to work longer hours compared to men and that women, particularly women of color, reported lower career satisfaction (Heo et al., 2022). Hennein and colleagues (2023) interviewed 716 women healthcare workers in the U.S. in 2021 and also found evidence of widespread gender discrimination.…”