CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New numbers show progress stalling on the gender pay gap .

As more companies force workers back into the office, women are seeing their earnings fall further behind. According to the latest data, full-time working women are earning around 81 cents for every dollar men earn — the largest gap since 2016.

Economists point to one major driver: the push to bring employees back into the office. Many women — especially those with caregiving responsibilities — are taking jobs with more flexibility, fewer hours, or remote-only roles. That often means trading higher pay or promotion potential for balance.

Research shows women are almost three times more likely than men to leave a tech or finance job when a strict return-to-office mandate is announced, and when they do, upgrade

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