Top Reasons for Burnout Among Millennial Women

Posted on Thursday December 15, 2022

According to a 2021 study conducted by Deloitte, 40% of women who were actively looking for new employment cited burnout as the driving force behind wanting to make the career change.

Why are so many women feeling job “burnout?” The San Diego employment law attorneys at Mara Law Firm may be able to shed some light on the common causes of burnout among women in today’s work culture.

The Hard Data

As of 2021, in the United States, there are an estimated 72 million Millennials walking among us. They are the largest adult generation, exceeding baby boomers.

• Only 22% of females believe that their employers have helped them establish a boundary between their work and home life.
• Job satisfaction among Millennial women dropped by 29 points during the pandemic.
• 57% of women were cited as wanting to leave their jobs in two years or less, attributing a lack of work-life balance as the primary reason.

Pandemic Burnout

The 2021 study by Deloitte was first reported by NBC News and noted that eight out of ten women reported that both their duties at their jobs and responsibilities at home have increased since the start of the pandemic.

We have come to realize that many of our jobs can be done from anywhere in the world. The pandemic has caused many employees to work fully remotely or in hybrid positions, causing young mothers to never unplug.

According to Forbes, 53% of women surveyed say that their stress levels are higher than they were a year ago, with almost half of these survey participants claiming to feel “burnout.”

Add into the mix the issue of child care. Since 2020, women have been caught between increased stress at work and the inconsistency of open childcare centers. Since 2020, childcare providers that have kept their doors open have been operating with reduced enrollment.

With the new “work from home” environment, many mothers have chosen to keep their children out of daycare. This is all while maintaining a full-time work schedule.

Unrealistic Expectations and Unequal Pay

Revving up with the pandemic and prior to it, employers have placed unrealistic expectations on women in the workforce.

Nearly eight out of ten females reported that their workloads increased with the pandemic. Employees are expected to complete an unrealistic amount of work in less time without receiving equal pay to their male colleagues.

The California Equal Pay Act requires that its employers pay employees of the opposite sex equal pay for performing “substantially similar work.” The current act prohibits ethnicity or race exclusions.

One glaring reason for unequal pay points to the economy. Although the United States is not yet in a recession, the economy has been suffering since 2020. Even so, women in the workplace should not have to compromise their wages when consistently producing quality work.

A Male-Dominated Workforce

According to researchers, a growing number of Millennial women seem to be burning out in their careers before reaching age 30. One underlying reason could be that men are twice as likely as women to receive promotions. Females watching their male colleagues receive raises, when they are both creating comparable work, would be discouraging for anyone.

Professional women tend to work extremely hard in college and are more inclined to pursue opportunities in order to pad their resumes. Ironically, these self-starters often experience burnout in higher-level positions.

Failing to Take Breaks

Statistics show that men are more likely to do the following at work:

• 25% are more likely to take breaks throughout the day for personal activities;
• 7% are more likely to take a walk;
• 5% are more likely to go out for lunch; and
• 35% are more likely to take breaks “just to relax.”

Lack of Work-Life Balance

Realistically, women are known to take charge at home – managing the household, coordinating their children’s after-school activities, and even taking care of the majority of grocery store trips. With such a high number of responsibilities, it is no wonder that women are feeling worn out.

Besides utter exhaustion, mothers are facing deteriorating mental and physical health.

Signs of Burnout

According to the Mayo Clinic, the signs of job burnout may include the following:

• Excessive stress
• Fatigue
• Insomnia, including difficulty staying or falling asleep
• Sadness, anger, or irritability
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease

The results of burnout will also affect work performance. Women may have difficulty concentrating on tasks at work and may find a lack of satisfaction from their achievements.

Although “burnout” is not a medical diagnosis, researchers believe that it is often the underlying reason behind anxiety disorders and depression.

How Can an Employment Law Attorney Help?

If you are struggling to receive proper treatment at work, an employment law attorney can evaluate your situation and inform you of your labor rights.

Many employers will not inform you of your meal and break rights. That’s where an employment law attorney comes in. We have experience communicating with employers, making sure they abide by California labor laws.

If you are not receiving the same pay as a man performing your job, an employment law attorney will fight to make sure you are receiving equal compensation. We will never stop battling for your employment rights, even if it means going to court.

Damages

Legal damages aim to compensate you for any losses that you have incurred as a result of unfair treatment at work.

In a labor suit, we generally request “legal relief” in the form of back pay for unequal wages and unfair working conditions.

We may also seek punitive damages from your employer in order to discourage them from engaging in unlawful labor practices in the future. Punitive damages aim to punish a wrongdoer for their actions.

A California Labor Law Firm Advocating for You

There is no up front cost to have Mara Law Firm evaluate your case, and you can be apprised of your employment rights and legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. You are in trustworthy hands.