Job loss hits women most

The coronavirus outbreak has inflicted pain throughout the U.S. economy. But women have absorbed more than their share of it.

Disproportionately working in vulnerable jobs — at restaurants, bars and beauty shops, for instance — women have accounted for an outsize share of the jobs lost since the pandemic struck the economy this spring. In February, just over half the positions on American payrolls were held by women, according to the Labor

Department.

But as infections spread, businesses closed and people stayed home to protect themselves, stalling economic activity. Employers slashed jobs in March and April, then began to recall some furloughed workers.

Still, the United States is down 10.7 million jobs compared with February. And 5.8 million of them (54%) belonged to women. In September, women accounted for just 43% of 661,000 added jobs.

Women are also dropping out of the labor force. The number of women either working or looking for work fell by 865,000 in September. Some decided to take time off to care for children stuck at home until their schools reopen.