April is hashtag#StressAwarenessMonth, and it is a good time to pause and ask: how are we really doing at work?

For many women, stress and burnout aren’t just one-off challenges -they're daily realities. Despite progress in leadership, many women remain stuck on the "broken rung" and face increasing pressure, especially in sectors like healthcare and education.

To truly reduce stress, we need to:

✅ Fix the broken rung
✅Make flexibility the norm
✅Offer inclusive wellbeing support

March always brings a moment to take stock of how far we’ve come on gender equality - and how far we still have to go.

Baroness Martha Lane Fox doesn’t mince her words: just 12% of AI roles are held by women. And in the UK, women are still carrying the greatest burden from the pandemic - from job losses to the lion’s share of domestic work.

But there is progress. And there is proof that change makes sense - not just morally, but economically. Companies with more women on their boards see 19% higher returns.

The case for equality has never been clearer. The question is: what are we waiting for?

At the end of this month, WiW, in partnership with Menopause Mandate, will release the WiW Workplace Menopause Progress Report 2025, an independent review of how 400 of the UK’s largest companies are addressing menopause in the workplace. Drawing on insights from the Menopause Mandate survey of 14,855 working women, the report provides a clear picture of what’s working, where the gaps are, and how businesses can move beyond good intentions to real, impactful change.

This Women’s History Month, we celebrate just a handful of the trailblazers who defied the odds and redefined what is possible. Their stories are proof that talent and tenacity can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

“The funding gap between male and female-led businesses remains a pressing issue. When it comes to female funding, statistics are actually worsening, because out of the total £8bn of private equity given out so far this year, female founders received just 1.8 per cent, down from 2.5 per cent last year. When it comes to midlife women in the workplace, 25% consider leaving due to menopausal symptoms and 10% actually do.

Leading the charge towards true workplace equality.

It’s now almost a full year since Lewis Silkin, a top-100 UK firm and partner of Women in Work Summit, introduced a groundbreaking parental leave policy that is not only transforming the lives of its employees, but also setting a new standard for the legal industry.

It’s half-term again. That time of year when working parents—especially mothers—brace themselves for the impossible task of juggling career demands with childcare. It’s not just about finding a solution for a week or two; it’s about confronting the deeply ingrained, systemic failures that make childcare in this country one of the biggest barriers to women’s progress in the workplace.

The results of Channel 4's latest research, Gen Z: Trends, Truth, and Trust, raises alarms about the future of democracy and gender equality in the UK. The study reveals a disturbing shift in Gen Z’s views, with over half of respondents (52%) believing the country would be better off under an authoritarian leader who bypasses parliament. Additionally, 45% of male respondents said that the push for women’s equality has gone too far, leading to discrimination against men.

This year at Davos, women’s inclusion and equity took centre stage, no longer relegated to the sidelines but woven into discussions across the summit. The week began for us with the Goals Dinner, a thought-provoking evening co-hosted by Women in Work, Project Everyone, and UN Women, and supported by ServiceNow, Google, and Octopus Energy. Expertly chaired by Mariella Frostrup, the dinner gathered a powerhouse of voices to address the urgent need for gender equity across workplaces, economies, and societies.

Save the Date: 9th October 2025

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Women in Work Summit will take place on Thursday 9th October at Kings Place , London. Building on the energy and momentum of last year’s Summit, this year promises even more thought-provoking discussions, game-changing insights, and connections that inspire action.

As we wrap up another incredible year, I’m struck by how far we’ve come. 2024 was a year of bold conversations, shared learning, and meaningful progress. Women in Work is about bringing people together—leaders, organisations, and advocates—to drive the change we so urgently need. And this year, we’ve done just that.

Fertility in the workplace isn't just about days off—it's a life-altering journey that demands comprehensive support. From emotional to financial, the toll is significant. 1 in 7 people face infertility and many organisations overlook this crucial aspect of employee wellbeing. In recent research, 74% of employees didn’t feel that the topic of fertility was recognised in their organisation (Fertility Matters at Work) and Deirdre O'Neill, Hertility, stated recently at the Women in Work Summit that a "staggering 70% of people now will leave their current job for fertility or reproductive benefits".

Fresh from the Women in Work US Summit, it’s a good time to look at key areas of comparison in the drive for more equitable workforces. Recently launched at the UK WiW Summit was our Gender Equity Measure (GEM) Report, measuring the pay gap, female leadership, and parental leave policies. What happens when we look at the data available in the US, and is the UK leading the way in comparison?

At the Women in Work (WiW) Summit, we unveiled two pivotal reports that underscore the growing importance of equity in today’s workforce: Mercer's report on pay transparency and the WiW Gender Equity Measure (GEM). These reports offer deep insights into the challenges and opportunities ahead, as companies strive to create more inclusive and future-ready workplaces.

On the eve of World Menopause Day, it’s essential to address the significant impact menopause has on women in the workplace. With NHS estimating that 60,000 women are on long term sick leave due to menopause-related symptoms, at a cost to the economy of £1.5 billion annually ( reported recently in the TImes) - it’s clear that businesses must act to retain and support this critical part of the workforce.

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🌍 Today marks hashtag#WorldMentalHealthDay - an important opportunity to reflect on mental health challenges women face in the workplace, where stress, personal life, and limited mental health support can take a significant toll.