Tech Ladies Work-Life Balance Report 2024

Breaking Down the Work-Life Balance Landscape for Women in Tech: Insights from the Tech Ladies 2024 Work-Life Balance Report

The Tech Ladies Work-Life Balance Report 2024 is here, offering a deep dive into the experiences of women in tech as they navigate the complexities of balancing career ambitions with personal well-being. This year’s findings highlight both ongoing challenges and actionable solutions to create healthier, more sustainable work environments. Here’s a glimpse at some of the report’s findings:

Highlights of the Work-Life Balance Report

1. More than 80% consider leaving job due to poor work life balance‍

Notably, when asked about work-life balance 82% of Tech Ladies have considered leaving a job because of poor WLB, underscoring the urgency for employers to address systemic challenges. Moreover, 83% of respondents experienced negative physical health effects due to insufficient WLB, while 55% reported mental health impacts. 

The findings are a wake-up call for the tech industry. When more than 80% have considered leaving their jobs due to poor work-life balance, and the majority report negative impacts on their physical and mental health, it’s clear that systemic change is needed. Employers must prioritize creating supportive, equitable environments where work-life balance is not just an option, but a fundamental part of workplace culture.

2. 80% of respondents reported frequent stress or feeling overwhelmed 

Due to workplace demands, 80% of Tech Ladies reported feeling stressed or overwhelmed, underscoring the critical need for effective boundary-setting practices. The data revealed a significant correlation between weakened boundaries and heightened levels of stress and dissatisfaction, emphasizing the importance of clear separation between work and personal life.

This level of stress is a clear indication that workplace cultures need to evolve. Our findings show that strong boundary-setting is not just beneficial—it’s essential for reducing stress and improving overall job satisfaction. Employers must actively support their teams in establishing and maintaining these boundaries to create healthier, more sustainable work environments.

3. Tech Ladies like (and use) flexible and remote work options, but they’re not a silver bullet

Notably, 66% of Tech Ladies reported using flexible work options "always" or "often," and remote work and flexible schedules were identified as the most valued company benefits after health insurance. Additionally, 80% of employers offer remote or flexible work arrangements, demonstrating progress in addressing work-life balance. However, these policies alone are insufficient to fully alleviate the challenges faced by women in tech.

The data shows that while flexible work options are highly valued and widely utilized, they are not a cure-all for the systemic issues driving stress and dissatisfaction. To truly support women in tech, employers must look beyond flexible policies and tackle the root causes of work-life imbalance, including unrealistic workloads, lack of boundaries, and insufficient leadership accountability.

Why This Matters for Employers and Employees Alike

The Work-Life Balance Report highlights effective boundary-setting as a key solution for reducing stress and improving work-life balance. Respondents emphasized the need for permission to fully utilize flexible and remote work policies without guilt, such as stepping away for lunch, attending appointments, or managing family responsibilities. Eliminating the constant “on-call” feeling, fostering accountability for wellness, and improving resourcing through tools like AI can enable employees to prioritize well-being without sacrificing progress. 

Supporting better boundaries is essential for empowering women to thrive both personally and professionally. The findings from this report underscore the urgent need for systemic change in the tech industry. By addressing inequities in salary, benefits, and workplace culture, we can create an environment where women not only thrive but also redefine what success looks like for future generations.

What’s Next?

These are just a few of the insights we uncovered in the Tech Ladies 2024 Work-Life Balance Report. Download the full report to access all the data and discover what actions you can take to improve satisfaction with the balance between personal and professional life in the technology industry. If you'd like to partner with Tech Ladies to further our mission of advancing equity within the tech industry, learn about our partnership opportunities here.