Women’s workplace progress stagnates globally – Deloitte survey

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — A new global study by Deloitte reveals that women’s progress in the workplace is stagnating across four key areas – mental health, unbalanced domestic responsibilities, non-inclusive behaviors, and a lack of “Gender Equality Leaders.” 

The report, titled “Women @ Work 2024: A Global Outlook” gathered insights from 5,000 women across 10 countries and seven sectors between October 2023 and January 2024. The countries surveyed were Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Rising stress levels, mental health stigma persist

Half of women say their stress levels are higher than they were a year ago, and a similar number are concerned about their mental health. Around 60% of women admitted they “do not feel able to switch off from their work.”

“Women are struggling to disconnect from work, and the ones who regularly work more than their contracted hours have worse mental and physical well-being,” the report noted.

“Women who regularly work overtime also report significantly lower levels of loyalty to their employer, motivation at work, and productivity.”

Only 23% of these women describe their mental health as good, compared to 50% who work their contracted hours. 

Lack of work-life balance and gender equality efforts

The study also highlighted the persistent imbalance in domestic responsibilities, with 50% of women globally bearing most childcare duties, even when they are the primary earners. 

This imbalance not only impacts women’s careers but also perpetuates the gender pay gap, with many women unable to focus on their careers due to overwhelming home demands.

Alarmingly, nearly half of the women surveyed expressed concerns about their personal safety at work or during commutes. One in ten reported harassment while commuting, and 16% faced inappropriate behavior from clients or customers.

Gender equality leaders remain rare bright spots

Despite these challenges, only 6% of women work for organizations classified as “Gender Equality Leaders” – companies that prioritize inclusion, work-life balance, and meaningful career development. This figure has increased by just one percentage point since last year, indicating a glacial pace of progress.

The report emphasizes the need for organizations to address these issues urgently, including normalizing mental health conversations, implementing family-friendly policies, and fostering inclusive environments where women can voice concerns without fear of repercussions.