Rising levels of workplace stress are unacceptable, and unnecessary

The Women’s Equality Party’s policies on equal pay and shared parenting and care-giving will target rising stress levels among working women, says Sophie Walker, leader of the Women’s Equality Party (WE). 

“The expectation that women can ‘do it all’ – managing work, family and social life – means they are increasingly reporting workplace stress,” she says.

“We know that women disproportionately shoulder the responsibility for parenting and care-giving, alongside their work commitments. That’s why we have written policies that specifically target this issue, and are committed to making flexible working the default in our business communities.”

The Health and Safety Executive, which regulates safety at work, has published statistics from 2014-15 that show many more women than men are experiencing stress at work.

An estimated 68,000 women aged 35 to 44 in the UK are stressed at work, compared to 46,000 men of the same age. A further 78,000 women aged 45 to 54 are stressed at work, compared with 58,000 men.

“WE are also concerned that so many men are reporting stress at work. Our policies set out new approaches to the workplace which WE believe will create a manageable and meaningful work-life balance for both women and men.”

Notes to Editors:

The Women’s Equality Party is committed to creating a flexible working culture across all industries. Our policies are designed to further these six core objectives:

• WE are pushing for equal representation in politics, business, industry and throughout working life.
• WE expect equal pay and an equal opportunity to thrive.
• WE are campaigning for equal parenting and caregiving and shared responsibilities at home to give everyone equal opportunities both in family life and in the work place.
• WE urge an education system that creates opportunities for all children and an understanding of why this matters.
• WE strive for equal treatment of women by and in the media.
• WE seek an end to violence against women.

The Women’s Equality Party was founded by Sandi Toksvig and Catherine Mayer in March 2015, and launched its policies on 20 October. Read the full policy document here.

The Health and Safety Executive's report can be read here.

Press enquiries to Catherine Riley, Communications and Partnerships Manager ([email protected]/+447764 752 731)