28.07.2025

Women 18% more likely to burnout than men – Is the workplace still failing them?

A new report¹ has revealed that women are considerably more likely to experience burnout than men, with 71 per cent of women reporting symptoms compared to 60 per cent of men. These figures are more than just statistics, they’re a sign that the modern workplace, still shaped by outdated structures and expectations, is failing women.

As business work to close gender gaps in pay, leadership and opportunity, burnout has become a big barrier to progress. It’s a silent disruptor, quietly widening the gender gap in the workplace. Flexible workplace providers, Instant Offices, explore how the burnout is disproportionately impacting women and how workplaces can overcome it.

The Silent Career Killer

"Burnout is an under-recognised career disruptor for many women today," says Demis Brill from Instant Offices "It often presents as fatigue or disengagement, but underneath that is chronic pressure – much of which comes from the 'always-on' culture that still dominates many industries."

Women in the early stages of their careers are particularly vulnerable. Seventy-five per cent of women under 34 report symptoms of burnout¹. Many are navigating insecure job markets, student debt and the pressure to prove themselves in fast-paced, high-demand roles. The challenges do not disappear with age. Among women aged 35 to 54, 71 per cent still report symptoms¹, often compounded by additional responsibilities like childcare and household management.

Despite progress in flexible work, many still feel guilty or judged for setting boundaries, especially in office-centric cultures.

The Gender Burnout Gap

While burnout affects people of all genders, studies¹ increasingly show that women experience it differently and more frequently. Emotional exhaustion, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism² can make burnout more acute, especially in male-dominated environments.

So what needs to change? To close the gender wellbeing gap, employers must move from performative wellness to genuine culture change.

Why Flexible Work Helps Women Thrive

With women seven times³ more likely to be the primary caregivers in many households, the return to traditional work models is hitting them hardest.

Flexible workspaces and hybrid models are a lifeline for many women. By reducing commute times, enabling remote or part-time arrangements, and providing autonomy over the workday, flexible work makes full-time careers more accessible and sustainable, particularly for mothers and caregivers.

“When employers offer true flexibility, they are not just supporting women. They are investing in long-term talent retention and wellbeing,” says Brill. “It is not a perk. It is a strategic necessity.”

But flexible policies alone are not enough. Lasting change requires businesses to rethink how they define success and build more inclusive cultures.

Here are three ways employers can take action:

Normalise Flexibility Without Stigma: Women shouldn’t have to choose between career progression and wellbeing. Flexible working, job sharing, and outcome-based performance measures need to be normalised – not viewed as exceptions or perks.

Build Allyship into Management Training: Train managers to understand gender-specific stressors and support healthier, more inclusive working environments.

Rethink What Success Looks Like: Move away from a culture that glorifies overwork. Instead, prioritise productivity, impact, and wellbeing as equal measures of success.

A Future Built with Women in Mind

When women burnout, everyone loses – from families to businesses to the broader economy. But when women are supported with flexibility, autonomy and care, they thrive and so do the organisations they work for.

The workplace is overdue for change. By embracing flexibility and prioritising wellbeing, employers can create a fairer and more inclusive future. One that works better for women and better for everyone.

1 https://www.stada.com/media/health-reports/stada-health-report-2025

2 https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/a60036842/burnout-women-work/

3 https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/women-7-times-more-likely-men-be-out-work-due-caring-commitments

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