NEW YORK – A recent report from Gallup reveals that approximately 50% of working women experience stress for a significant portion of the day, whereas around 40% of men report similar feelings. The findings, released this week, highlight the dual pressures of work and home that contribute to this stress, particularly for women who are also parents or guardians. This demographic is more likely than their male counterparts to forgo or postpone career advancement opportunities due to personal responsibilities. Furthermore, mothers tend to strongly agree that they often serve as the primary caretakers for unexpected child care situations.
The study shows that around 17% of women face personal or family responsibilities at work on a “daily” or “several times a day” basis, in contrast to 11% of men. Ilana Ron Levey, a managing director at Gallup, noted during a presentation of these research insights that, despite concerted efforts to focus on women’s well-being and their advancement in leadership roles within organizations, they continue to battle high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout.
Karen Guggenheim, the mind behind the World Happiness Summit and CEO of WOHASU, believes that transforming workplace culture to prioritize well-being could mitigate these challenges. She asked why individuals should have to make a choice between being an excellent parent or partner and succeeding in their jobs. Guggenheim emphasized that investing in the well-being of women is not only beneficial for businesses but also vital for societal development.
The survey further illustrates that working mothers are nearly twice as likely as fathers to contemplate reducing their work hours or quitting their jobs altogether due to childcare concerns. This situation underscores the effects of the ongoing childcare crisis, especially with the new administration led by President-elect Donald Trump on the horizon, who has acknowledged the crucial role of childcare in the country. While he has linked tax reforms on imports to funding for childcare improvements, his campaign materials do not prominently feature this issue.
Vice President-elect JD Vance has expressed skepticism towards the Biden administration’s strategies for alleviating childcare costs, asserting that these approaches may inadvertently push parents back to work, detracting from those who wish to remain home with their children. He also suggested that families should rely on relatives for childcare, a recommendation that may not address the deeper issues at play.
Balancing work and personal responsibilities is a taxing experience for both genders, with the Gallup report indicating that men and women are similarly likely to think about their jobs during personal moments. However, the research indicates that employers can make a substantial difference in enhancing well-being by promoting work-life balance. Women who report a healthy equilibrium between their professional and personal commitments tend to be more engaged at their jobs and less inclined to seek new employment opportunities.
To address these issues, organizations should create informed policies and resources, empower managers to provide essential support, and cultivate a culture that prioritizes well-being, according to Kristin Barry, the director of hiring analytics at Gallup. Given that women make up nearly half of today’s workforce and that the gender gap in labor participation is narrower than ever, ignoring the challenges faced by women could hinder progress toward achieving broader organizational goals.
