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Working from home has become the new normal for many people worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While it has its benefits, such as the ability to avoid long commutes and having more control over your work environment, it has also brought with it a number of challenges. One of these challenges is that women are having a much more stressful time working from home than men.
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Factors Contributing to Increased Stress for Women
There are several factors that contribute to this. One reason is that women often have more responsibilities at home, such as caring for children and managing the household. This can make it more difficult to balance work and home, leading to feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
In addition to the demands of home life, women may also face more challenges in the workplace. Discrimination and bias can be more pronounced in a remote work setting, where there may be fewer opportunities for support and community. These challenges can lead to additional stress and anxiety for women.
Societal expectations and gender roles can also play a role in the differing stress levels experienced by men and women. Women may feel pressure to be the primary caregiver for their children and manage the household, even while work from home. This can add to their stress and workload.
(Not so) Fun fact: “Up to 81% of all caregivers, formal and informal, are female, and they may spend as much as 50% more time giving care than males. Even in heterosexual relationships where both partners work full time, women still spend a whopping 40% more time caregiving than their male partner.”
– UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
The Impact of Stress on Mental and Physical Health
The stress experienced by women while work from home can have a negative impact on their mental and physical health. It can lead to burnout and anxiety, and it is important to address and manage this stress in order to maintain good mental and physical health.
Another (Not so) Fun fact: Harvard Business Review points out “A recurring finding is that women are more likely to carry out more domestic responsibilities while working flexibly, whereas men are more likely to prioritize and expand their work spheres.
– Source
Common Struggles Faced by Women
Here are 20 potential struggles that some women may face:
Balancing work and family responsibilities:
Working from home can make it hard to balance work and family, especially with kids around.
Feeling isolated:
Remote work can be isolating, especially if you don’t have regular opportunities to interact with coworkers or other people.
Managing distractions:
Staying focused while working from home can be challenging, especially with household tasks and other distractions.
Maintaining work-life boundaries:
Working from home without a designated workspace can make it hard to establish work-life boundaries and feel like you’re always available.
Dealing with interruptions:
Juggling family interruptions and work can be challenging.
Lack of support:
Working from home lacks the resources and support of an office setting.
Difficulty adapting to new technologies:
If you’re not used to working remotely, you may struggle with learning new technologies or tools necessary for remote work.
Managing stress:
Working from home can be stressful, especially if you’re trying to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Feeling disconnected:
You may feel disconnected from your coworkers or the larger organization when you’re working remotely.
Struggling with motivation:
It can be hard to stay motivated when you’re working from home, especially if you’re working alone.
Dealing with time management issues:
It can be challenging to manage your time effectively when you’re working from home, especially if you don’t have a set schedule.
Adjusting to new communication styles:
When working from home, you may have to communicate with your coworkers and supervisor through email, video calls, or other digital platforms, which can be a new experience for some people.
Coping with lack of human interaction:
Working from home can be lonely, especially if you’re used to the social interactions of an office setting.
Handling unexpected emergencies:
If you have children or other family members at home, you may have to deal with unexpected emergencies that can disrupt your work schedule.
Managing household tasks:
It can be tough to balance work and household tasks when you’re working from home, and you may have to find ways to delegate or outsource certain tasks.
Finding childcare:
If you have young children, you may struggle to find childcare while working from home.
Lack of privacy:
It can be difficult to find a private space to work in when you’re working from home, especially if you have a small living space or if you share a home with others.
Dealing with equipment or internet issues:
Technical problems with your computer, internet connection, or other equipment can be frustrating and disrupt your work when you’re working from home.
Coping with limited physical activity:
When you’re working from home, you may not have the same opportunities to move around or take breaks as you would in an office setting, which can be a struggle for some people.
Lack of access to professional development opportunities:
If you’re working from home, you may not have the same access to professional development opportunities or resources as you would in an office setting
It is essential to acknowledge and address these struggles to make the remote working experience more manageable for women.
So now, How are we going to address it?
