JANUARY 6, 2021 – HAMILTON, ON: The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce has launched a city-wide online survey to better understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the careers of working women within Hamilton.

The survey can be found at womenoutofwork.ca.

Taking only 10-20 minutes to complete, depending on one’s experience, this survey will allow women to share any challenges, barriers, and successes they’ve encountered as a result of COVID-19.

If you are over the age of 18 and identify as a woman, you are invited to participate to share your experience. 

Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a draw to win a $100 Prepaid VISA Gift Card.

The survey closes February 1, 2021 at midnight.

In September 2020, the Hamilton Chamber announced it is working with the Government of Ontario on a Labour Market Partnership to conduct this localized research. The survey aims to collect information on COVID-19’s employment impact on local female residents. All information shared will be anonymous and remain confidential.

Through the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, the Chamber’s “Women out of Work” study will result in a research paper that will include tangible policy recommendations on how to help women successfully re-enter and remain in the labour market after COVID-19. 

This research project is being conducted by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce with the support of McMaster University, Goodwill the Amity Group, Workforce Planning Hamilton, and YWCA Hamilton.

Addressing social inequality is one of the many recommendations the Hamilton Chamber is suggesting for a strong economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re interested in learning more, read our COVID-19 Blueprint.

BACKGROUND:

Canada’s employment has dropped significantly since March, with female-dominated service-sector jobs among the hardest hit. In light of recent employment figures stemming from COVID-19, the forthcoming recession has been dubbed the first “she-session.” The significant drop in employment has hit female-dominated service-sector jobs the hardest. Retail, restaurants, childcare centres, and hotels are particularly vulnerable to the shutdown, many of which closed down completely.

QUOTES:

“A full economic recovery is not possible without the recovery of female-dominated sectors and women’s careers,” said Marie Nash, Chief Operating Officer at the Hamilton Chamber. “This survey will begin to help us understand how women in Hamilton have been impacted and how we can best advocate to regain lost ground.”

 “We’ve all heard how greatly the pandemic has impacted the careers of Canadian women, and in Hamilton this is likely no exception,” said Katie Stiel, Project Lead of the ‘Women out of Work’ project at the Hamilton Chamber. “To overcome this employment disparity, we need to first understand where the gaps may be.”

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Cassandra D’Ambrosio
Manager of Marketing & Communications
c.dambrosio@hamiltonchamber.ca

Marie Nash
Chief Operating Officer
m.nash@hamiltonchamber.ca

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