View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Women's Bureau

WB Updates May 2022 | Issue V

Mothers and Families: Mother’s Day Data Findings

We released new data that show the impact of COVID-19 on women’s employment in the U.S. According to the research, COVID-19
has significantly affected mothers’ employment. In April 2020, employment declined by 15.7% among mothers with children under
the age of 13, compared with a 9.6% reduction among fathers. Two years later, fathers’ employment has fully recovered while
mothers’ employment remains 2% below pre-pandemic levels.
Read the blog summarizing the data
Explore some key stats
Website Updates – WB recently published updates to our Mothers and Families page, including a new graphic on childcare-related
work disruptions using recent Census Bureau data:
View the updated Mothers and Families page
Check out our new graphic on recent childcare-related work disruptions
New Resource – In coordination with the department's Wage and Hour Division, we recently released a resource on workplace
protections for nursing mothers. Did you know the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to provide eligible
employees with reasonable break time to pump breast milk for a nursing child for one year after the child’s birth?
View the new flyer to learn more about nursing mothers workplace protections

Explore additional information on employment protections for pregnant or nursing workers

Funding Opportunity Announcements

Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations Grant Program – Apply through June 20, 2022 | Earlier this month, we
announced a funding opportunity of $3.4 million for up to nine grants to attract and retain women in Registered Apprenticeship
Programs and industries where they are underrepresented such as manufacturing, infrastructure, cybersecurity and healthcare.
The WANTO grant program supports community-based organizations to recruit, train and retain more women in Registered
Apprenticeships and nontraditional occupations.
Read about WANTO and our 2021 grant recipients
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions
See the press release

Fostering Access, Rights and Equity Grant Program – Apply through July 1, 2022 | We recently announced a funding opportunity
of $2 million for up to eight grants to help women who are paid low wages learn about and access their employment rights and
benefits. Administered by the department’s Women’s Bureau and the Employment and Training Administration, the Fostering
Access, Rights and Equity (FARE) grants are designed to support non-profit organizations that connect women workers to
services, benefits and legal assistance.
Learn more about FARE and our 2021 recipients
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions
Read the press release

Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month

Building Legacy Together: Our Communities’ Journey of Strength and Resilience – In honor of Asian American and Native
Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, WB Chief of Staff Nikkilia Lu penned a blog about her father, who came to the United
States as a Vietnam War refugee 40 years ago. Her experiences with racism and discrimination while living in mostly white
communities led her to a career in public service and a calling as an advocate for racial, gender and economic justice.
Read Nikkilia’s blog
Find out more about the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

Observing Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Did You Know? If you work for an FMLA-covered employer and are
eligible for FMLA leave, you may take leave if you are unable to work due to a serious mental health condition. The FMLA ensures
job-protected leave for physical and mental health conditions you and your family members may be facing.
To learn more, check out these resources:
Blog: The Family and Medical Leave Act: Essential for Mental Health-Friendly Workplaces
Fact Sheet: Mental Health and the FMLA
DOL Twitter chat: Highlights from the #MentalHealthAtWork conversation
Migrant Women in the Workplace: Mental Health Roundtable – On May 26, WB Director Wendy Chun-Hoon took part in a
dialogue with Ramona DeLoera (Florida), Cinthya Be (California) and Lila Ortiz (Oklahoma) about their personal challenges and
experiences as migrant farmworkers. This roundtable, organized by nonprofit group Justice for Migrant Women, commemorates
the launch of the Healing Voices program, which provided services to farmworkers in the wake of COVID-19.
Watch the roundtable discussion
Learn more about Healing Voices

May Events and Partnerships

On May 25, WB participated in a webinar cohosted by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Education to
discuss Registered Apprenticeships as a way to address the early care and education (ECE) workforce shortages.
Explore Registered Apprenticeship Programs

On May 25, WB Director Chun-Hoon joined Yellow Corp. & Women in Trucking to discuss roadblocks to women’s participation in the
trucking industry.
Read about our Day of Action to Promote Safety in Trucking
Join the 90-Day Trucking Apprenticeship Challenge

On May 19, WB Senior Advisor Gayle Goldin shared remarks at a press event about the importance of paid leave. The event
celebrated Maryland and Delaware passing paid family and medical leave laws. Read our recent blog on the importance of paid
leave:
Working Moms Need Access to Leave and Job Flexibility

On May 18, WB Director Chun-Hoon delivered remarks about the impact of gender and racial inequality on women workers and the
union advantage for women/women of color at UAW’s (International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural
Implement Workers of America) biennial National Community Action Program Conference. The event theme was “Creating A Path
Forward.” Attendees honored the Flint Emergency Brigade by wearing the iconic red beret for the conference's annual Odessa
Komer Memorial Women's Breakfast.
Read our Bearing the Cost Report
See other conference highlights

On May 16, WB Director Chun-Hoon, Regional Administrator Gina Rodriguez, and Program Analyst Debby Pascal met with Illinois
Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Illinois Director of Labor Jane Flanagan and WANTO grantee Chicago Women in Trades
(CWIT) to talk about prioritizing equitable workforce development and job quality in the implementation of federal investments
through the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Watch Secretary Walsh discuss the Good Jobs Initiative
Read CWIT Cristina Barilla's experiences in the trades

On May 11, WB Director provided a keynote address titled “Bridging Opportunity Gaps” at the Reimagining Women in the
Bioengineering, Technology, and Data Science Ecosystem Virtual Summit hosted by the NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical
Careers.
Explore employment data for women in STEM

Webinar Series: Equity in the Workplace
WB kicked off a webinar series that explores issues of equity in the workplace. These discussions present the latest research, best
practices, and leading voices dedicated to improving opportunity, wages and working conditions for women. Check out the themes
and topics of the first three webinars and see our Upcoming Events for the next installation in the series.
May 11: What Does Equity Look Like for Military Spouses?
May 18: Protecting Pregnant and Nursing Mothers
May 25: Advancing Equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Women

Upcoming Events

Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in Trucking through Registered Apprenticeship
Wednesday, June 1, 1:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER
Equity in the Workplace: The Power of Trans Inclusion in the Workplace

Tuesday, June 21, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER
Equity in Focus: Building a Diverse, Inclusive Clean Energy Workforce
Wednesday, June 29, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. ET | REGISTER

We Want to Hear from You!

"Occupational segregation" is the gendered division of men and women into different types of jobs. It leads to women being
overrepresented in certain jobs, which are generally valued and compensated less than male-dominated jobs.
We've heard from many working women about their experiences with gendered job expectations, the challenges they face at work,
the supports that help them thrive, and the policy changes that would help them succeed.
Read their stories
Tell us your story

Follow the Women's Bureau on Twitter: @WB_DOL

The Women’s Bureau has championed the rights of working women and served as a convener of conversations critical to an
equitable economy for women for more than 100 years.
Follow us at @WB_DOL to view our #ThrowbackThursday series highlighting pioneering women, and to learn more about the latest
research, initiatives, policies, and updates related to working women and their families.

Women's Bureau
An agency within the U.S.
Department of Labor

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

LABOR DEPARTMENT

ABOUT THE SITE

White House

About DOL

Freedom of Information Act

Coronavirus Resources

Guidance Search

Disclaimers

Disaster Recovery Assistance Español

Plug-Ins Used on DOL.gov

DisasterAssistance.gov

Office of Inspector General

Accessibility Statement

USA.gov

Subscribe to the DOL Newsletter

Notification of EEO ViolationsRead the DOL Newsletter
No Fear Act Data

Emergency Accountability Status Link

200 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20210
1-866-4-USA-DOL

U.S. Office of Special CounselA to Z Index

1-866-487-2365
www.dol.gov
Connect With DOL

Site Map

Important Website Notices

Privacy & Security Statement