What are the Causes of Stress Among Working Women?
By looking for mental health support from a professional to deal with such issues, all women can confidently access further mental health support and address their problems, making them more manageable in the process.
For many women, the average working day routinely involves some form of stressful situation. Some women find these commonplace occurrences an unfortunate feature of the job, which they must deal with as and when they appear.
Worryingly, however, is the growing trend of stress among working women which is beginning to affect them physically and mentally in the workplace. This has resulted in more women seeking mental health support to combat such pressures.
Outside Responsibilities
It’s no secret that in many households, women are still responsible for dealing with all domestic and family responsibilities. From looking after the home to sorting out childcare arrangements, when women combine the work they do outside of the workplace with the role they perform inside of it, it’s little wonder they can quickly feel overwhelmed when at work.
Though it’s often playfully referred to as multi-tasking, the reality here is that women are finding that outside pressures mount up and escalate, eating into their working day. This then places them under continued stress in the workplace as they struggle to balance it all and separate home life and work life.
The Pay Gap
Though an issue for many years, recent events in the wider world have made the gender pay gap an even hotter topic right now. The knock-on effect of this in the workplace has seen women expressing concern and beginning to ask questions about their own pay compared to that of their male colleagues who perform the same roles.
Finances are an ongoing cause of concern for much stress among working women, especially when factoring in childcare payments. So, having to fight their corner continually and pose such questions, which is often difficult for some to do, causes tension in the workplace and leaves many women feeling stressed as a result.
Scaling the Ladder
Whether because of family responsibilities, or a lack of influential colleagues, employers or even friends and family members, a large proportion of women report a low job rate satisfaction in the workplace.
Though it shouldn’t in any way play a part in a woman’s career progression, undoubtedly, some women feel that having children or taking time out to tend to family issues places them at an instant disadvantage in the workplace.
Some employers, unfortunately, create a workplace environment whereby a woman’s role is diminished, and she isn’t readily put up for promotion. This leaves her unable to climb the ladder, feeling she’ll never be satisfied in her current role.
Competitiveness in the Workplace
Those women who find themselves having to compete against their colleagues on a regular basis for a potential promotion can also find the stresses of the workplace concerning.
Though many employees experience an element of competitiveness when applying for specific roles, it is a lot more stressful for women who feel they must prove more when applying for these roles.
This is particularly true of not just mothers in the workplace but also those women who feel in their prime and looking to extend their careers but are routinely overlooked in favour of male figures or even younger female colleagues.
Further Help for Women and Stress at Work
It’s important for all women finding the workplace a stressful environment, to talk to someone about it early on. This way such issues can be addressed before they have any chance to escalate.
Unfortunately, some feel unable to discuss their concerns with their employers or colleagues for fear of perhaps being ridiculed or treated differently at work, with the worst-case scenario of losing their job because of their feelings.
By looking for mental health support from a professional to deal with such issues, all women can confidently access further mental health support and address their problems, making them more manageable in the process.
