Working women face more daily stress than men, study reveals.

A big reason is that many working women also juggle parenting or caregiving.

A new Gallup report highlights the extra stress working women experience compared to men. Nearly half of working women said they felt stressed “a lot of the day,” compared to about 40% of men. Additionally, 17% of women reported managing personal or family responsibilities at work daily or several times a day, compared to 11% of men, according to The Associated Press.

A key reason is that many working women are also parents or caregivers. They are more likely than working fathers to postpone or turn down promotions because of family responsibilities. Plus, mothers are more likely than fathers to say they take the lead in handling unexpected childcare needs.

The study, conducted from February 2023 to October 2024, surveyed nearly 20,000 full- and part-time workers across four separate surveys. Gallup Managing Director Ilana Ron Levey presented the findings on Dec. 4, emphasizing how they challenge corporate claims about promoting wellness.

“There’s been a lot of focus on supporting women’s well-being and leadership in the workplace,” Levey noted. “Yet, we’re seeing unprecedented levels of stress, worry, and burnout among women.”

Karen Guggenheim, founder of the World Happiness Summit and CEO of WOHASU, suggests that shifting workplace culture and prioritizing employee well-being are key to tackling this issue.

“Why should we have to choose? Why are workplaces forcing people to pick between excelling as a parent, partner, friend, or family member and thriving in their careers?” she asked, emphasizing that “investing in women’s well-being isn’t just smart business — it’s a path to societal progress.”

The study revealed that employers can significantly improve well-being by fostering work-life balance. Women who feel supported in balancing their work and personal lives are more engaged at work and less likely to look for new job opportunities, according to the report.

Organizations can make a difference by introducing thoughtful policies, programs, and resources, equipping managers to support their teams effectively, and building a workplace culture centered on well-being, explained Kristin Barry, Gallup’s director of hiring analytics.

With women representing nearly half of the workforce and the gender gap in workforce participation at its smallest in U.S. history, Barry stressed, “Overlooking the challenges women face means falling short of our goals.”