Invisible planning and emotional labour keep many businesses and homes functioning but, this can take a toll, particularly in a sector that can be a particularly emotionally demanding environment both from staff and customers.
This unwritten, unmeasured and unrewarded work can include remembering rotas, cover, birthdays, team dynamics alongside absorbing problems before the work day begins.
Women are often expected to notice, care and hold things together, often reinforced socially and professionally relied upon.
Individual consequences
This holds teams together, prevents problems before they escalate and can protect guest experience without drawing attention to any issues but can mean women become the default problem-solvers, cover planners and emotional stabilisers.
While this is often praised through women’s organisation skills, remaining calm under pressure and being emotionally intelligent - all of which are true - it can mean we face an additional burden, weighing on our shoulders.
Continuing to carry this load is often only noticed when it stops, suddenly things are missed, culture dips and standards slip.
Burnout and stepping back are just two of the consequences that carrying this extra load can result in.
Moving forward
But, many of the incredible women we’ve spotlighted this week raised how normalising flexibility is just one way in which the industry can move towards achieving gender equality.
I think this is key to ensuring women (and everyone for that matter) do not experience burnout. Being able to balance work and home life is so important to staying healthy.
This alongside having roles that don’t rely on silent overperformance can help with ambitions towards true equity.
Carrying that mental load can be a strength but only if it is recognised, shared and supported, and so ensuring flexibility can help ease this burden.
Progress will come when mental load is designed out of loads, shared across teams and recognised as leadership work.
