Women At Work Survey Results
The Reality of Working Life for Women at Work Today
100s of Women
100s of Voices
100s of Stories
Hundreds of women shared their experiences.
The results are powerful.
Real stories. Real insights.
We think it’s time to tell the truth.
At Investing in Women, we set out to understand what working life really looks like for women across the UK today.
Not the policies on paper.
Not the headlines.
The reality.
This International Women’s Day, thousands of women shared their experiences in our Women at Work Survey.
What’s working, what isn’t, and where the biggest gaps still exist between expectation and reality.
What We Explored
We asked women across all life stages about:
⭐ Their current working patterns and employment status
⭐ How valued and supported they feel at work
⭐ Workload, stress, and wellbeing
⭐ Access to flexibility — and what’s missing
⭐ Barriers to returning to work
⭐ What needs to change for work to truly work
From those building careers…
to those balancing work and caregiving…
to those currently out of the workforce entirely.
What We’re Seeing
While experiences vary, one thing is clear:
Flexible work still exists more in theory than in practice.
Across the responses, common themes are emerging:
⭐ Flexibility is still limited or informal
⭐ Workload and stress remain high
⭐ Many women don’t feel fully valued or supported
⭐ Opportunities for progression are often unclear
⭐ Returning to work remains a challenge for many
And perhaps most importantly…
Too many women feel they have to compromise on their careers, their incomes, or their family lives.
What We’re Seeing
While experiences vary, one thing is clear:
Flexible work still exists more in theory than in practice.
Across the responses, common themes are emerging:
⭐ Flexibility is still limited or informal
⭐ Workload and stress remain high
⭐ Many women don’t feel fully valued or supported
⭐ Opportunities for progression are often unclear
⭐ Returning to work remains a challenge for many
And perhaps most importantly…
Too many women feel they have to compromise on their careers, their incomes, or their family lives.
90% of Women said Flexibility Is Essential (Not a Perk)
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about individual experiences.
It’s about how workplaces are designed.
Because when work doesn’t fit around life, women are forced to:
Step back
Step out
Or settle for less
And businesses lose out on incredible talent as a result.
The mental load is real
For many women, work starts long before logging on
and continues long after logging off.
Work is only one part of what they manage every day.
Only 25% of Women said their workplace genuinely supports women at different life stages
Part-time does NOT mean part-ambitious
Women still want progression, challenge and well-paid roles.
Reduced hours does not mean reduced capability.
Part-time does NOT mean part-ambitious
Women still want progression, challenge and well-paid roles.
Reduced hours does not mean reduced capability.
78% hope to return to paid work in the future
Flexibility isn’t a perk
It’s the difference between being able to work
and being forced to step back.
Flexible working keeps talent in the workforce.
45 % said they'd previously left a role due to lack of flexibility or support
Caring responsibilities shape careers
Many women are the default carers — not just for children
But for elderly parents and family members, too.
Workplaces rarely account for this reality.
Caring responsibilities shape careers
Many women are the default carers — not just for children
But for elderly parents and family members, too.
Workplaces rarely account for this reality.
40 % said they are not working due to caring responsibilities
Women want to work. They just need work to work.
Trust. Flexibility. Fair opportunities.
When employers get this right, everyone benefits.
What Women said they wished Employers understood about Women's lives
Flexibility Is Essential (Not a Perk) 85–90%
The Mental Load & Invisible Labour 80–85%
Caring Responsibilities (Children + Elderly + SEND) 75–85%
Menopause, Hormones & Women’s Health 40–60%
Ambition & Capability Are Not Reduced 70–75%
Systemic Design Problems (9–5 Model & Presenteeism) 60–70%
Equity, Value & Recognition 50–65%
Intersectional & Diverse Experiences 30–45%
A Final Word
Every response shared in this survey represents a real experience.
A real challenge.
A real frustration.
A real ambition.
And together, they tell a powerful story.
Download The Full Women At Work Survey Results
Because..
"work should fit your life...not the other way around!"
Because..
"work should fit your life...not the other way around!"