Female Burnout : 3 Reasons Behind the Issue

This article was originally published on Sous le tapis and written by Margaux Damain, mental health writer and podcaster. 

Female burnout is a long-standing issue. According to Santé Publique France, women are 2 to 3 times more affected than men by psychological distress at work—a figure that has remained constant since 2007.

But why do women experience burnout, and why are they generally more vulnerable to it than men?

Female Burnout: Why women are more prone to professional exhaustion

Burnout (or occupational exhaustion syndrome) is a set of symptoms resulting from chronic stress at work. In other words, it is an individual response to corporate problems.

While certain personal characteristics can be aggravating factors—such as being a woman (more on that below)—it is vital to remember that the causes or triggers are always organizational.

Reason #1 : The weight of domestic tasks and caregiving

Women experience burnout more than men due to multiple factors. Their vulnerability stems partly from the roles and responsibilities culturally assigned to them within the family and domestic sphere.

Indeed, being a woman often means carrying an additional mental load related to:

• Domestic chores
• Caring for others (often at the expense of their own health)
• Performance pressures that prevent them from expressing their limits: being a good mother, a good wife/lover, while excelling at work.

Regarding this, here are some recent figures on the distribution of domestic tasks published by the Observatoire des Inégalités:

• 👉 68% of women cook or clean every day, compared to 43% of men.
• 👉 31% of women vs. 23% of men take care of children or relatives daily.

Finally, the least valued and most exhausting tasks are more often handled by women. In other words, if they are already running at full capacity at home and then move into a dysfunctional work environment, all the conditions are met for a breakdown.

Gender-related discrimination at work

When speaking of stress at work, the McKinsey 2024 Women in the Workplace study provides interesting figures on the difficulties of evolving in a professional environment as a woman.

Burnout is not only the result of a disproportionate workload; it can also be the result of gender-based discrimination that damages self-esteem, acting as significant stressors.

Reason #2 : Micro-aggressions related to women’s expertise

Women are more likely than men to face comments and actions that undermine their skills and expertise.

• For example, 38% of women (vs. 26% of men) state that their judgment is questioned within their own field of expertise.
• Furthermore, 18% of women (vs. 10% of men) claim they are mistaken for people at lower levels than their own.
• Finally, 39% of women (vs. 20% of men) report being interrupted more often than others.

Reason #3 : Sexual harassment

In 2024, 37% of women (vs. 22% of men) have suffered one or more forms of sexual harassment during their professional career.

Sexual harassment includes a wide spectrum of abuse and mistreatment: from sexist jokes and obscene comments directed at them to unwanted sexual touching.

The conditions for burnout

Women who suffer from gender-related mistreatment are more prone to burnout and more likely to want to leave their company.

Indeed, they are 4.2 times more likely to be in burnout and 2.7 times more likely to want to quit.

Burnout is now recognized as grounds for medical leave

A historic decision was made by the French Council of State in May 2024. This evolution allows for better protection of employees, recognition of their suffering, and a strengthening of prevention within companies.

The Causes of Burnout

Professional exhaustion is a consequence of poor working conditions. 

The causes of this syndrome can be classified into two main categories: organizational factors and individual factors. Organizational factors are the primary triggers. Scientists perceive individual factors as “moderating variables”—meaning that certain individual traits (such as personality) can either increase or decrease the risk of burning out.

Organizational Factors: The Triggers

The 2022 scientific review Burnout: A Review of Theory and Measurement lists several causes:

• Work Overload: Too many tasks or overly complex missions generate constant effort, which is physically and psychologically draining.
• Emotional Labor: The need to hide real emotions or simulate others (like sympathy) to comply with job requirements or corporate codes. This represents a significant additional mental load.
• Lack of Autonomy: Not having the freedom to organize tasks or influence decisions affecting one’s work increases burnout risk.
• Lack of Clarity: Not knowing exactly what is expected or managing contradictory demands is a major stress factor.
• Inappropriate Supervision: Management that is too directive—or, conversely, non-existent—and a lack of recognition can lead to exhaustion over time.
• Lack of Social Support: Feeling isolated or lacking support from colleagues or superiors is a major risk.
• Difficult Work Schedules: Schedules that make a work-life balance impossible, such as night shifts or excessive overtime, are powerful triggers.

Individual Factors: Risk Modulators

A lack of self-confidence or avoidance strategies when facing stress can worsen the effects of organizational factors. 

Conversely, optimism or active adaptation strategies can help reduce the negative impact of these triggers.

🔎 Discover Anastasia’s testimony : from burnout to compassion and vitality

Symptoms of Burnout

For those suffering from it, the impacts are first psychological: concentration and memory problems, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. These can lead to irritability and increased consumption of alcohol or tobacco.

On a physical level, the syndrome can cause headaches, muscle pain, digestive disorders, cardiovascular problems, and a higher vulnerability to infections.

On a professional level, exhaustion manifests through job dissatisfaction, decreased engagement, absenteeism, and presenteeism (being at work but not being effective). In advanced stages, it can lead to counterproductive behavior or even aggression toward colleagues or clients. In the most serious cases, chronic depression, social isolation, and suicidal ideation and attempt can occur.

Female Burnout: How to Help a Partner or Friend?

Tip #1 : Encourage them to open up gently

It is common for someone in distress to be in denial. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid rushing or confronting them abruptly. 

The goal is to voice your concern non-judgmentally and initiate a dialogue through an open-ended question: “I’m concerned about your health right now… how are things going for you at work?”

Try starting your sentences with “I,” focusing on your own feelings and observations. In contrast, sentences starting with “You” (for example: “You’re so irritable” or “You’re isolating yourself lately”) can sound accusatory, even if that isn’t your intent.

If they choose to open up to you, let them speak. In other words, take the time to listen, asking open-ended questions and rephrasing their points from time to time. Rephrasing demonstrates that you are truly paying attention and helps build trust. Furthermore, the combination of rephrasing and questioning can help them process their thoughts and gain a clearer awareness of their situation.

Gaining this awareness is the essential first step when seeking to take care of oneself. 

Finally, if the person isn’t ready to talk, do not force the issue. A simple phrase like “If you need to talk later, I’m here for you” is much more likely to preserve your bond of trust.

Tip #2 : Suggest professional help if needed

By offering your loved one a safe space to process their thoughts, you help them realize their need for support. This awareness is key to preventing burnout, minimizing its consequences, or escaping a situation that has become too dangerous for their mental and physical health. If they don’t think to seek professional help on their own, you can gently suggest it. They can reach out to occupational health services, talk to a trusted GP, their manager, or consult a psychologist.

The more informed we are, the stronger we stand! If you feel that female burnout is an important topic, please feel free to share this article with your friends, family, or on social media.

The more informed readers we are, the better!
If you feel that female burnout is an important topic, don’t hesitate to share this article with those close to you or on social media.

About the Author and Project

This article was written by Margaux Damain, founder of Sous le tapis and a writer specialized in mental health. Margaux relies on scientific studies (systematic reviews and meta-analyses) as well as works by psychiatrists and psychologists to make knowledge about psychological well-being accessible. She transforms expert research into content tailored for the general public. Her goal? To democratize mental health and encourage everyone to practice self-care.

About this article:

This article was written in the context of the Erasmus+ KA210- YOU small-scale partnership project “comPASSION is sexy” (Project Code: 2024- 3- FR02- KA210-YOU-000295806), co-funded by the European Union. The project is a collaboration between Les Philentropes (France) and Olotites (Greece), focused on compassion-based approaches to youth empowerment, inclusion, well-being and mental health awareness.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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