Anyone in a couple where both are pursuing careers knows very well the tensions of accommodating each other’s work priorities. Even before Covid-19, being in a dual-career couple involved a mutual balance of work and home life.
Then, the pandemic hit. The initial results were devastating for working women — especially those with children. Surveys by consultancy McKinsey found that one in four women with children under 10 were considering leaving the workforce, compared with one in eight men. In the US, 1.7mn women lost or gave up their jobs compared with 1.3mn men.
Now, as the pandemic recedes, new opportunities and pitfalls for dual-career couples are emerging.
Employers increasingly say they are unable to find the skills they need. This puts workers in a strong position to demand more flexibility on anything from parental leave to flexible start times and working remotely. And, for those whose jobs demand moving location regularly, the ability to work remotely opens up new options for both partners.
