The Gender Exhaustion Gap

Whilst much of the discourse on gender inequality focuses on the ever-persistent 17-percent gender pay gap, a more insidious form of inequality continues to affect women worldwide: the gender exhaustion gap. In light of new studies, it is evident that burnout disproportionately affects women, only intensified since the pandemic.

A recent study, undertaken by Berlin Cameron, Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play, and Kantar, presents alarming statistics that spotlight this very exhaustion gap. The survey, which canvassed over 1,000 employees across the U.S. and U.K., revealed that a staggering 68% of U.S. women experienced burnout in the week preceding the survey. In stark contrast, only 50% of U.S. men reported similar feelings of burnout.

The differential doesn't stop at burnout; it extends to motivation and a sense of isolation. Women have reported significantly higher levels of exhaustion and a reduced drive compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, the rate at which women feel isolated has doubled compared to men since the pandemic began. This data underlines a troubling trend where the professional and personal lives of women are being disproportionately disrupted.

Jennifer DaSilva, President of Berlin Cameron and collaborator on the study, emphasised that it’s crucial to acknowledge these feelings among women and explore empowering solutions. But what fuels this enduring exhaustion among women at a rate higher than men?

The pandemic has certainly played a pivotal role in exacerbating these issues. The shift to remote work, while initially seeming a boon in terms of flexibility, often blurred the lines between professional and personal life, particularly for women. Many women have found themselves managing an unequal share of domestic responsibilities alongside professional duties, leading to a 'double shift' that extends well beyond traditional working hours. Bring periods, hormonal fluctuations and children into the mix and women are dealing with an awful lot.

The Great Exhaustion

Echoing the concerns of experts like writer and computer scientist Cal Newport, we are indeed in an era he describes as "The Great Exhaustion." The pandemic’s multifaceted impact on mental health — through stress, emotional exhaustion, loneliness, grief, and anxiety — has been profound and enduring. Newport’s observations are buttressed by a 2023 meta-analysis revealing that one in five adults globally suffers from fatigue that isn’t attributed to a medical condition.

Despite these findings, prevailing advice on combating exhaustion often oversimplifies the issue, suggesting increased physical activity and a balanced diet as panaceas. However, it's clear that fatigue, particularly among women, is rooted in deeper systemic issues that require more nuanced solutions.

Addressing the exhaustion gap necessitates a multi-faceted approach. Workplaces need to redefine boundaries and expectations around availability, acknowledging the unique challenges women face. Policies incorporating flexible work hours, mental health days, painful period days and supportive resources can make a substantial difference.

Additionally, societal attitudes towards domestic responsibilities must shift. The undervaluation of household management as 'non-work' contributes significantly to the exhaustion women face. Recognition, redistribution, and shared responsibility within households are necessary steps towards alleviating the burden disproportionately placed on women.

As we navigate these challenging times, it is crucial that our efforts to redress inequalities consider both the economic and the personal dimensions of women's lives. The exhaustion gap is not merely a phenomenon of workforce management but a broader societal issue that affects the vitality and potential of half the world’s population. Acknowledging this gap is the first step; actively working to close it is our collective responsibility.