Abstract

Economic crises often leave lasting scars on individual employment trajectories, disproportionately affecting certain groups. Unlike previous recessions, the Covid-19 pandemic had a particularly severe impact on women, raising concerns about widening gender gaps. At the same time, economic shocks can drive change and create opportunities for transformation. In particular, the rise of remote work during Covid-19 lowered traditional barriers, potentially narrowing gender gaps. This dual impact of the pandemic raises questions about how it has affected labor market outcomes in particular and gendered economic inequalities more broadly. I explore the medium-term causal effects of the pandemic on the labor market outcomes of incumbent workers in Germany, with a particular focus on gender disparities and the transformative potential of remote work.