How Working-From-Home (WFH) Wives Are At a Disadvantage

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a massive shift in the work culture, and many businesses have shifted their operations online. This has given rise to the working-from-home (WFH) trend that has become the new normal. However, working remotely has also highlighted some inequalities between WFH wives and husbands.

Thus, WFH wives are not only dual earners and breadwinners. But they are also responsible for household tasks. The dilemma is that if men also work remotely, they do not engage in familial chores. Thus, the burden is on the shoulders of WFH spouses.

Sarah / Pexels | WFH wives wear all caps: Apart from working (from home,) they also take care of the entire family.

The Perception of Gender Roles

One of the reasons why WFH wives have to do the housework and take care of the kids is because of the perception of gender roles. The issue is that gender roles are often deeply ingrained in our society. And households are not immune to this.

Therefore, husbands who work from home may still see housework and childcare as the responsibility of their wives and not theirs. This assumption leads to unequal household chores distribution, leading to resentment and exhaustion for WFH wives.

Traditional Workplaces vs. WFH Arrangements

Traditional workplaces have well-defined roles and tasks. In turn, this ensures that workers can focus on their job responsibilities and not worry about anything else. However, WFH arrangements are different.

William / Pexels | It is the conventional Gender Role perception that is making WFH wives responsible for household tasks.

It is hard at home to draw a line between work and personal life, leading to WFH wives taking on household chores between tasks or even while working. The ability to multi-task is a skill, but it is not sustainable in the long run.

Women Are More Self-Critical

Another reason WFH wives may get the shorter end of the stick is that women are more self-critical than men. Unfortunately, it is a deep-rooted characteristic that affects all aspects of their lives, including work and household tasks.

They do not want to compromise on the quality of work or household tasks. Consequently, this leads to overworking or stress. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to delegate tasks and not worry about the outcome.

Communication Is Key

To balance the WFH arrangement, communication is key. When WFH wives feel overburdened with household tasks and their workload, it is crucial to have an open conversation with their spouses. Communication will ensure a division of tasks and responsibilities that meet both their individual needs.

RDNE / Pexels | Experts argue if WFH spouses communicate their challenges – especially in WFH situations – things will become easier.

Also, talking about the challenges of the WFH arrangement can help one understand their spouse better and work on the arrangements that suit them both.

Planning and Scheduling

Finally, planning and scheduling household chores and work tasks is another tactic that can help balance the WFH arrangement. WFH wives can use scheduling apps that remind them of chores and set deadlines for work tasks. This method allows them to balance their workload and household responsibilities effectively. Also, it is essential to dedicate set hours to household tasks and work tasks separately.