TUC survey reveals 71% of working mothers denied furlough

A TUC survey of 50,000 working parents has found that 78% have not been offered furlough by their employer during the pandemic, while 71% have had furlough requests refused during the latest school closures. Of the survey respondents, 93% were women, proving that it’s predominantly working mothers who are bearing the brunt of the double-burden of juggling work and childcare. The vast majority of these women are left completely unsupported by both their employers and the government. UNISON national officer Josie Irwin said: “New evidence from the TUC confirms what we always knew, that working mums in particular – many in low-paid work with irregular hours – are struggling to hold onto their jobs as a consequence of school closures. “They are exhausted from trying to find childcare and manage their child’s online learning as well as work at the same time. Some are making themselves ill and some have had to give up their job.” UNISON member Simone Jarvis* is currently working part-time in local government while home-schooling her seven-year-old daughter. “There are no breaks for me. If I’m doing my work and I’m asked a question by my daughter about her work, I just have to instantly switch over. There’s no separation of home, school and work. “Even if I did have a routine in place where there were set times I was working, and set times to home-school, it would still leave 3-6 hours a day where my daughter would be by herself, doing whatever she wante...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article Covid-19 equalities women Source Type: news