Women’s Workplace Wellbeing
Stress and Burnout in the Workplace
About half of working women reported feeling stressed "a lot of the day," compared to about 4 in 10 men, according to a Gallup report published this week. The report suggests that competing demands of work and home comprise part of the problem.
Impact on Career Advancement
Working women who are parents or guardians are more likely than men who are parents to say they have declined or delayed a promotion at work because of personal or family obligations, and mothers are more likely than fathers to "strongly agree" that they are the default responders for unexpected child care issues.
Work-Life Balance
And 17% of women overall report having to address personal or family responsibilities at work "daily" or "several times a day," compared with 11% of men overall.
Changing Workplace Culture
But changing workplace culture and prioritizing well-being can improve the problem, according to Karen Guggenheim, creator of the World Happiness Summit and CEO of WOHASU. "Why do we have to choose? Why are we creating environments where people have to make a choice between being the most amazing parent, partner, friend, daughter, sister, whatever, and also thriving at work?" she said.
Child Care Crisis
The survey, which also found that working mothers are nearly twice as likely to say they have considered reducing their hours or leaving their job altogether because of child care issues compared to working fathers, also highlights the fallout of the country’s child care crisis.
Employer Action
Organizations can take action by establishing informed policies, programs and resources, positioning managers to be the support system employees need, and prioritizing a culture of well-being, explained Kristin Barry, director of hiring analytics at Gallup. And with women comprising nearly half of the workforce and the narrowest workforce participation gender gap in U.S. history, "turning a blind eye to this challenge women are facing means we are not going to accomplish our goals," Barry said.
Conclusion
The report highlights the need for a shift in workplace culture and prioritizing well-being to support women’s success. By making changes to support work-life balance, employers can improve employee engagement and reduce turnover.
FAQs
Q: What is the main cause of stress for working women?
A: The main cause of stress for working women is the competing demands of work and home.
Q: How many women report feeling stressed "a lot of the day"?
A: About half of working women report feeling stressed "a lot of the day".
Q: What is the impact of child care issues on working mothers?
A: Working mothers are nearly twice as likely to say they have considered reducing their hours or leaving their job altogether because of child care issues compared to working fathers.
Q: How can employers support women’s well-being?
A: Employers can establish informed policies, programs and resources, position managers to be the support system employees need, and prioritize a culture of well-being.
