Panelists with a rich variety of backgrounds will address the negative impacts of COVID-19 on women and caregivers, and the ways in which the pandemic has exacerbated existing gender-based discrimination in the workplace.

As primary caregivers for their children and loved ones, many women have been required to stay home and provide care to other family members when no other care was available during the pandemic (e.g. for school-aged children who were remote learning or otherwise unable to attend daycare or school in person). Some of these women were unjustly terminated from their positions or faced other consequences in the workplace as a result. In addition to discussing these impacts, the CLE will review key legislation, such as the Family First Act legislation, and some of the key cases under which women have sought protections.

Panelists will share their perspectives on the correct path forward, as well as the policies that they have implemented or contemplated in their own workplaces and with their clients.