Since COVID, Over 100 Thousand Full-Time Mothers Haven’t Returned To Work

Florida Tax Watch has reported that almost 170,000 women have exited the work force since the COVID-19 epidemic began, and over 100,000 haven’t returned yet. A lot of these jobs are now being filled across the state of Florida by many out of state, remote, employees. Cape Coral, Jacksonville, Orlando, Pensacola, and Sarasota areas are ranked on Linked In as being in the top 20 cities where Americans looking for work will most likely apply for remote positions. However, for some full-time mothers, it isn’t that easy.

Florida is witnessing what a lot of people are referring to as “The Great Resignation.” However, not everyone can afford to leave the work force at the moment. Working mothers are still working two full time jobs. Their regular 9 – 5 jobs and then their parenting duties. Taking days off are not an option for mothers who also work full times, regardless of COVID-19.

Many Mothers Cant Afford To Leave Work

Many full-time mothers in Florida are the sole provider to their families. With children still needing everyday necessities, mothers had no choice but to push forward. A recent survey found that, on a national level, about 1 out of every 3 people who work remote said they would quit their job if they had to go back into an office full-time. These people also stated that remote work allows more family time, personal time, and a noticeable improvement on mental health.

However, non-remote work has seen an increase in wages and benefits as well. Nursery and Preschool teaching salaries have increased to $15 an hour for an employee who meets the basic requirements. Some schools are even offering emotional wellness classes to teachers, along with yoga and even attendance bonuses.

More Problems For Preschools And Nursery Schools

Dr. Sharon Carnahan is the executive director for the Hume House Child Development and Student research Center at Rollins College. She says that during the pandemic mothers provided three times as much unpaid childcare as men. And that in 2021 more than half of those women with a B.A. worked from home at least part of the time.

Because of COVID-19, most of these children are coming out of their homes and into childcare facilities for the first time. When the school year began, infants and toddlers were exhibiting noticeable behavioral and social issues. This includes some social anxiety. Many of these children suffer from lower social skills and are less likely to interact with others. Children who are attending any form of school for the first time are facing quite a few challenges. On a national level, these children are suffering from a learning lag. However, most of these issues have to do with how they spent the last two years.

Florida Tax Watch reported that as of June of this year the national quit rate rose to three percent. In Florida from September 2021 to June 2022, 61 thousand Florida workers left their jobs. Each new hire is a significant win for our school systems. Many preschool facilities noticed that their sharp uptick in teachers leaving work, was due to them pursuing jobs at places like Publix and even McDonalds due to their increased starting salary. So, when preschools and nursery schools were able to offer more pay and other incentives, it was a big help. The highest quit rate in the state continues to be three of its greatest needs, Education, hospitality, and leisure. Florida Tax Watch also reports that in 2021, 38% of employees did some or all of their work from home. That is 14 percentage points higher than 2019, the year before the pandemic.

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