Pandemic spurs decline in women hired into leadership roles, undoing years of progress

Companies have promoted fewer women into leadership roles over the past year, erasing years of gains for female professionals — and reflecting yet another adverse consequence of the pandemic on working women. 

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced more than 2 million women out of the workforce, has also led to a remarkable decline in women being hired into leadership roles over the past 12 months, according to data from professional networking site LinkedIn. Women in struggling industries including recreation and travel, the retail sector, education and professional services, have earned fewer senior management spots during the pandemic, according to LinkedIn's research.