Pushed out by pandemic, women struggle to regain footing in U.S. job market – By Jonnelle Marte, Aleksandra Michalska (Reuters) / Mar 4 2021
(Reuters) – Katy McAvoy hoped she would have more time for her job search after her 5-year-old daughter started in-person kindergarten in mid-November after months of virtual learning due to the pandemic.
Katy McAvoy works on her food blog in her living room with the company of her dog Molly in Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S., March 2, 2021. REUTERS/Emily Elconin
But the school near Grand Rapids, Michigan closed again a week later as COVID-19 infections surged there and across much of the country.
The unpredictable schedule made it difficult for McAvoy to find time for interviews and networking or to figure out a feasible work schedule.
So even though school opened again in January, McAvoy, who was furloughed from her job with a local arts organization last June and permanently laid off in November, decided to stop searching. “What do you say to an employer in that situation?” said McAvoy, 41. “They’re going to hire someone who doesn’t need a bunch of exceptions.”
