Women bore the brunt of job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and there are fresh warnings that women’s longer-term financial independence may be in peril amid the return to the office.

Experts are warning of a fresh wave of “COVID burnout” among women — particularly executive and senior women — who have spent two years juggling the demands of homeschooling, caring for kids and work.

Surveys in the US have found women are significantly more burned out now than pre-COVID – and increasingly more so than men.

For women with partners who earn an income, experts warn many are quietly doing the sums to see if dropping hours or dropping work altogether may better suit their families.

“I absolutely believe that through the pandemic, women overwhelmingly did more heavy lifting in caring and homeschooling and unfortunately, the COVID burnout concept is real,” says Jen Dalitz, the chief executive of Women in Banking and Finance (WiBF).

“Burnout has crept up on many women – they’re coming up for air now and making career and life choices – some of which will likely have negative financial impact if it involves reducing hours, not taking up promotions, deferring professional development ... all of which I have seen within the WiBF network.”

Australia already has one of the lowest rates of participation of women in full-time employment, partly a result of the high penalty women pay once tax and childcare costs are factored in.

The chief executive of the Grattan Institute, Danielle Wood, says it is important for women experiencing burnout to discuss the division of labour within their household with their partner.