Research by Deloitte Global has revealed that 31% of UK-based women have good work-life balance, a fall from 71% before the pandemic.
Deloitte Global conducted a survey, titled Women @ Work: A global outlook, of 5,000 women in 10 countries, including 500 working women in the UK, to understand the impact of the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic on women’s personal and professional lives.
The survey found that 76% of UK women said their workload had increased since the pandemic and half of women respondents stated the relationship with their employer has suffered as a result of increased caring responsibilities.
Working women’s mental health has worsened, with just 27% stating they had good mental health compared to 68% pre-pandemic, and nearly half (48%) of women said they feel burned out.
Additionally, four in 10 women in the UK said their employer has provided sufficient support to women since the beginning of the pandemic and 44% of women said their career isn’t progressing as fast as they would like. Over half (59%) said they feel less optimistic about their career prospects today compared to before the pandemic and a quarter (24%) of women are considering leaving the workforce altogether.
Jackie Henry, managing partner of people and purpose at Deloitte UK, said: “The survey findings are a stark reflection of the reality, responsibilities and wellbeing of working women in the UK and what needs to be done to reverse the pandemic’s disproportionate effects on this group of people. A staggeringly low number of women - only 4% - expect to remain at their organisation for more than five years.
“As businesses look to rebuild their workplaces, the organisations that prioritise diversity and inclusion in their policies and culture - and provide tangible support for the women in their workforces - will be more resilient against future disruptions. Additionally, they will lay the groundwork needed to propel women and all gender equality forward in the workplace,” Henry added.
