Work-life balance is one of the most talked-about challenges among women professionals. But for many, especially working mothers, it still feels out of reach.
A recent Good Morning America segment cited Pew Research showing that nearly 60% of working millennial mothers feel it is harder to get ahead at work. Only 20% of millennial fathers feel the same.
This finding echoes the results of my doctoral research on work-life conflict among women in leadership. Through in-depth interviews and analysis, I discovered a troubling truth: women are still expected to give more and receive less in return.
Women often carry invisible responsibilities both at home and in the workplace. And when they strive for excellence, they are met with fewer accommodations, greater scrutiny, and higher levels of burnout.
Workplace culture must evolve.
Based on my research and lived experience, here are a few solutions:
- Encourage flexibility without guilt
- Create leadership pathways for women that do not require personal sacrifice
- Celebrate and model balanced leadership
- Provide real mentorship not just advice, but access
For those of us in leadership, this is our call to action. Work-life balance is not a women’s issue. It is a workplace standard we must all uphold.
Dr. Tish
