COVID-19 has moved many people to working from home; but, not everyone has that choice. Statistics Canada says about 40 per cent of Canadians are in jobs that can be done from home. There are others who are in jobs considered essential, and they have been able to continue working without interruption. But what about the rest?

Stats Canada says fewer workers in goods-producing sectors can work from home than those in service industries. Dual-earner families with higher earnings are more likely than lower-income families to hold jobs that can be done from home.

Primary earners with high levels of education are more likely to hold jobs that can be done from home. And, women are more likely than men to hold jobs that can be done from home.

On balance, households with lower levels of education and earnings are the least likely to hold jobs that can be done from home. Stats Canada says the results indicate that during the pandemic, the risk of experiencing a work interruption might fall disproportionately on financially vulnerable families, likely increasing family earnings inequality at least during the pandemic and economic recovery.