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  • May 5, 2020
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review Digital Articles

Why the Crisis Is Putting Companies at Risk of Losing Female Talent

By: Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg
  • Format:Electronic
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Abstract

There has been a massive shift in how work gets done inside many companies and the global pivot to working remotely will likely change how many think about face time and rigid work schedules. Might these changes benefit women? The authors argue that will depend on how leaders handle the crisis in relation to their female talent and they suggest four things every executive should do. First, pay extra mind to the biases against mothers and how having their motherhood on display right now (think kid crying in the background on a videoconference) might invoke those biases. Second, pare down the pressure, especially on caregivers who have many demands on their time right now. Third, make sure your virtual meetings are run equitably and women’s contributions aren’t glided over. Last, keep virtual gatherings inclusive so that women are not excluded from networking opportunities.

Keywords

Coronavirus Pandemic; Remote Work; Flexible Work Arrangements; Health Pandemics; Employees; Working Conditions; Gender

Citation

Ammerman, Colleen, and Boris Groysberg. "Why the Crisis Is Putting Companies at Risk of Losing Female Talent." Harvard Business Review Digital Articles (May 5, 2020).
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About The Author

Boris Groysberg

Organizational Behavior
→More Publications

More from the Authors

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    The New-Collar Workforce

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    Walmart’s Live Better U

    By: Boris Groysberg, Annelena Lobb and Kerry Herman
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    Shelly Sun at BrightStar Care: The Evolution of a Leader

    By: Boris Groysberg, Colleen Ammerman and Sarah L. Abbott
More from the Authors
  • The New-Collar Workforce By: Colleen Ammerman, Boris Groysberg and Ginni Rometty
  • Walmart’s Live Better U By: Boris Groysberg, Annelena Lobb and Kerry Herman
  • Shelly Sun at BrightStar Care: The Evolution of a Leader By: Boris Groysberg, Colleen Ammerman and Sarah L. Abbott
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