This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work hours for mothers and fathers in the United States, focusing on the period from February to April 2020. Using data from the U.S. Current Population Survey, the authors find that mothers with young children (aged 1-5) reduced their work hours by about five percent, while fathers' work hours remained largely stable. This results in a 20 to 50 percent increase in the gender gap in work hours. The study also explores whether telecommuting provisions might mitigate these gender disparities, but finds that even among parents who were able to work from home, mothers continued to scale back their hours more significantly than fathers. The findings highlight the exacerbation of gender inequality during the pandemic, particularly for mothers, and suggest that the pandemic may lead to long-term employment penalties for women. The authors recommend that employers offer flexibility to keep mothers attached to employment and encourage fathers to take on more caregiving responsibilities.This study examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on work hours for mothers and fathers in the United States, focusing on the period from February to April 2020. Using data from the U.S. Current Population Survey, the authors find that mothers with young children (aged 1-5) reduced their work hours by about five percent, while fathers' work hours remained largely stable. This results in a 20 to 50 percent increase in the gender gap in work hours. The study also explores whether telecommuting provisions might mitigate these gender disparities, but finds that even among parents who were able to work from home, mothers continued to scale back their hours more significantly than fathers. The findings highlight the exacerbation of gender inequality during the pandemic, particularly for mothers, and suggest that the pandemic may lead to long-term employment penalties for women. The authors recommend that employers offer flexibility to keep mothers attached to employment and encourage fathers to take on more caregiving responsibilities.