Women, Work & the Pandemic: 5 Years Later, Have We Made Progress?
It’s been 5 years since the COVID lockdown. Here’s how the pandemic reshaped careers, caregiving, and what’s next for women in the workplace.
In March 2020, the world changed overnight. Many of our kids left for Spring Break, never to return to school in person until the 2021-22 school year. For millions of women, the pandemic wasn’t just a global crisis, it was a career crisis. Between job losses, caregiving responsibilities, and impossible choices, many were forced to make life-altering decisions. Now, five years later, where do we stand?
In this special re-release, we revisit one of our most powerful episodes: Karen Browning’s pandemic resignation letter. In the summer of 2021, Karen courageously put into words what so many women experienced at the height of the pandemic—being pushed to the brink and left without the support they needed to stay in the workforce.
Browning wrote her resignation letter not just as a farewell but as a mic drop moment—a wake-up call for employers and a message of solidarity for women facing the same impossible choices. As we mark five years since lockdown, Karen's story is more relevant than ever.
Here are 3 Key Takeaways from this episode:
✔ What Karen’s resignation letter reveals about workplace culture, flexibility, and the support systems that failed women during the pandemic—and how many still feel the impact today.
✔ How to advocate for yourself in today’s workforce—whether you’re returning, pivoting, or demanding better from your employer.
✔ What’s changed in the workplace (and what still needs to change) since 2020.
Why This Episode Matters in 2025
We often push through difficult times without fully processing their impact. Five years later, you have the opportunity to reflect—not just on the struggles you've faced, but on the lessons you can carry forward. Karen’s story is a reminder that advocating for yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. Whether you left a job, changed careers, or are still searching for work-life compatibility, this conversation will inspire you to take control of your future.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
👉 Join Job Share, Live Life & Slay Work Facebook Community to connect with like-minded women
👉 McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024 report with LeanIn
👉 SurveyMonkey’s Women at Work
👉 Grab our free guide to explore job sharing: workmuse.com/guide
More From Me:
Share This Episode!
If you know a woman who had to make impossible choices during the pandemic, send her this episode. Let’s continue the convo and push for workplaces that truly support women.🎙️ New episodes drop every Tuesday!
Episode Website: workmuse.com/3
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