You have to see it! Hungarian women do two and a half times more invisible work than men
On the first Tuesday of April, World Day of Invisible Work, WHC is raising awareness of those who do the often invisible work that is essential to the functioning of society and the economy. Invisible work includes domestic tasks, childcare, caring for elderly or sick relatives, and volunteer work, most of which is done without remuneration. In Hungary, women spend nearly two and a half times as much time in unpaid work as men, which puts them at a significant disadvantage in terms of career development.
The term invisible work refers to activities for which the people involved do not receive direct financial rewards or formal recognition. Examples include domestic work, childcare, care of elderly relatives, and a variety of background corporate or community tasks. These efforts are essential to daily life and the economy, yet they rarely get the attention they deserve.
The term was first coined in 1987, and in 2001 the Canadian-based Association for Women's Education and Social Action (Afeas) designated the first Tuesday in April each year as World Day of Invisible Work, which has since been adopted and recognised by many countries.
Statistics show that invisible work, such as housekeeping and family care, is overwhelmingly done by women. It is estimated that if they were paid for these tasks, it would add around $11 trillion a year to the value of the world economy, equivalent to nearly 9 percent of global GDP.
The situation is similar in Hungary:
According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, women spend nearly two and a half times as much time in unpaid work as men, putting them at a significant disadvantage in terms of career development, as they have less time for professional development, training and workplace relationships, which are key to career advancement.
"Our aim is to raise awareness about the importance of invisible work and to support those who contribute to the success of society and companies, even if their activities are not always in the spotlight. Recognising this work can benefit employers on many levels, by increasing employee esteem, helping to maintain work-life balance and contributing to the sustainability of society and the economy. We sincerely believe that conscious HR strategies and flexible employment opportunities can help ensure that invisible workers are properly supported," said Ákos Margitics, Head of WHC's Cooperative Services business.
The company is creating an opportunity for mothers - and fathers - on GYED or GYES to re-enter the workforce while working flexible hours by creating WHC Family - Home-Based Cooperative for Mothers with Young Children. The co-operative will give not only workers but also employers access to an underutilised pool of labour, while offering favourable tax conditions and reduced administrative burdens for co-operative members.
On World Day of Invisible Work, WHC encourages companies to support programs that help ensure that invisible work is fairly recognized and that those who do this work are able to participate in the labor market.
The digital world is shifting more invisible work to women
Invisible work is a segment of modern life and technology that has been increasingly dominated by women, but little has been said about it. Digital communication, which is essential for organising family life, places a significant mental strain on mothers, with the risk of burnout. If we can't see it, we probably won't notice it\" - read our previous article!
image: freepik