Addressing Women and Burnout: Insight for Business Leaders
In the ever-evolving landscape of the workplace, it's crucial for business leaders to understand the unique challenges women face, particularly concerning burnout. Recent research highlights the critical connection between burnout and decreased job satisfaction, performance, increased health issues, and higher turnover rates. By exploring the findings of three significant studies, we can uncover strategies to help reduce burnout among women, thereby fostering a healthier, more productive work environment.
1. The Motherly 2022 U.S. “State of Motherhood” Survey**
Motherly's 2022 survey garnered responses from over 17,000 U.S. mothers, marking it as the largest of its kind. Despite a slight decrease in burnout levels from the previous year, many mothers reported feeling burned out "occasionally" (35%), "frequently" (38%), or "always" (11%) in the past month. Only 15% felt they "never" or "rarely" experienced burnout. Notably, the number of children a mother had directly correlated with increased burnout. Furthermore, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Indigenous mothers were, on average, 14% more likely to report "always" feeling burned out compared to white mothers.
Recommendations from Motherly:
- Prioritize sleep and alone time.
- Foster positive feelings about motherhood.
- Access resources to improve work-life balance.
While these suggestions are directed at individuals, companies can play a role by promoting policies that support better work-life balance for working mothers.
2. Deloitte’s 2022 Women @ Work Study
Deloitte's 2022 study surveyed 5,000 women across 10 countries, revealing that widespread burnout is driven by increasing stress levels. Over half (53%) of the respondents reported higher stress levels than the previous year, with around half feeling burned out. Alarmingly, nearly half rated their mental health as "poor" or "very poor," and a third had taken time off due to mental health challenges. Women from specific ethnic minority groups were more likely to feel burned out, and more than half of the women planned to leave their current employer within two years.
**3. McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2021 Report**
McKinsey's comprehensive 2021 report analyzed data from approximately 65,000 employees across 423 organizations. It found that burnout remains a pressing issue, with nearly twice as many women experiencing burnout compared to men. In 2021, 42% of women reported feeling burned out "often" or "almost always," up from 32% the previous year. Women managers, in particular, were more active than their male counterparts in supporting their teams, checking on team members, managing workloads, and promoting well-being.
**Six Recommendations for Reducing Burnout:**
1. Balance Work and Family: Create programs to help mothers achieve a better balance between work and family.
2. Align Expectations and Reality: Address the burnout epidemic by correcting mismatches between workers’ expectations and their actual experiences.
3. Provide Tools for Recovery: Offer education, techniques, and practical tools for recovering from burnout.
4. Prioritize Mental Well-Being: Make mental well-being a top priority within the organization.
5. Implement Flexible Work Arrangements: Promote flexible schedules and work locations with inclusivity in mind.
6. Train Managers: Equip managers to regularly check on team members, manage workloads, support those affected by burnout, and promote overall team well-being.
In today's turbulent and uncertain world, the additional stresses that women face only exacerbate burnout. Business leaders must proactively address this issue by implementing strategies and solutions that promote a healthier work environment. The recommendations provided in this article offer a strong starting point.
