Deloitte Releases 2024 Study: Women in the Workplace
In May 2024, Deloitte released its latest study titled “Women at Work 2024,” based on a survey conducted with 5,000 women across ten countries. This report delves into critical work and social factors impacting women's careers, highlighting persistent challenges in areas such as mental health, domestic responsibilities, personal safety, and gender equality in the workplace.
Stress and Work Hours
Half of the women surveyed believe their stress levels have increased compared to last year. A similar number express concern about their mental health, which ranks as one of their top concerns, only behind financial security and labor rights. The survey indicates a direct correlation between long work hours and declining mental health: only 23% of women who regularly work overtime report good mental health, compared to 50% of those who work only their contracted hours.
Domestic Responsibilities
Women continue to face a significant imbalance in domestic responsibilities. Fifty percent of women living with a partner and children bear most of the household duties, an increase from 46% in 2023. Only 12% say these tasks fall to their partner. This additional burden negatively impacts their careers and mental health.
Safety and Non-Inclusive Behaviors
Nearly half of the women surveyed are concerned about their personal safety at work or during their commute. Thirty-one percent have experienced microaggressions, and 4% have faced sexual harassment in the past year. Women from underrepresented groups, such as those with visible disabilities or transgender women, report higher safety concerns and more frequent microaggressions.
Physical Health and Work
More than a quarter of women experience health issues related to menstruation, menopause, or fertility. Sixteen percent feel that citing menopause as a reason for work absence has negatively affected their career. Additionally, 15% of women facing reproductive health challenges fear that discussing these issues at work will hinder their professional progress.
Hybrid Policies and Return to Office
This year has seen improvements in hybrid work experiences. However, 40% of women surveyed report that their employers have implemented mandatory return-to-office policies. Of these, a quarter must be onsite full-time. This change has had adverse effects on their mental health and productivity, with over a third requesting to reduce their work hours.
Gender Equality
A quarter of the women surveyed do not aspire to senior leadership roles due to discouraging company cultures. However, in organizations recognized as "Gender Equality Leaders,” 92% of women do wish to advance to senior leadership positions. These companies foster inclusive cultures that value work-life balance, resulting in higher levels of loyalty and productivity among women.
Research Methodology
Deloitte's survey was conducted between October 2023 and January 2024, encompassing 5,000 women in ten countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Each participant answered 34 questions about their work experience, its impact on their personal life, the measures their employers are taking to support their professional progress and well-being, and how their experiences beyond the workplace affect their overall well-being.
Deloitte's “Women at Work 2024” report reveals that, despite some progress, women continue to face significant challenges in the workplace, ranging from stress and domestic responsibilities to personal safety and physical health. To create inclusive cultures that enable women's professional success, it is crucial to address these issues, reduce stigma, and support efforts to balance work responsibilities with commitments outside of work.
We invite you to explore the full “Women at Work 2024” report on Deloitte's website for more detailed insights into each topic covered in the survey.