Burnout effect on working mothers in leadership positions during the COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to understand how the recent COVID-19 pandemic impacted burnout levels among working mothers in leadership positions and how income and work schemes play an important role in their burnout. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 961 working mothers and fathers in leadership positions in Mexico under different work schemes during the COVID-19 lockdown. Snowball sampling was used in this study. The Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey was distributed online, using the burnout scale, with income and work schemes as categorical variables. Findings Burnout levels among working mothers in leadership positions were higher than those among working fathers. The hybrid work scheme (i.e. working from home combined with working from office) lessens burnout in working mothers, contributing both theoretically and empirically to better understanding burnout levels of mothers in leadership positions. Practical implications The findings can encourage human resource areas to reflect on the overexertion and work stress of mothers in leadership positions, and potential support resources can be provided to motivate them and retain their talent. Originality/value The introduction of the notion of lockdown in a conceptual model to observe its interaction with burnout and hybrid work schemes (i.e. working from the office and home) has rarely been discussed in existing literature. The impact, especially for working mothers in leadership positions, must be thus carefully considered while dealing with future crises, thereby helping to develop policies and processes accordingly.

Navigating Uncharted Waters: Exploring Leaders’ Challenges in the Era of COVID-19 and the Rise of Telework

“…The topic of gender and leadership was also highlighted. According to a study, female CEOs who are also moms may be more prone to burnout [98]. It has been discovered that mixed work arrangements, which include office and homework, lessen the likelihood of burnout.…”

“…Mucharraz y Cano et al [98] studied the gender aspect of working executives in Mexico and found that burnout was more common in female executives who are mothers than in male executives. A mixed work organization, i.e., working from home and office, reduced burnout tendencies.…”

“…2023 [98] This study aims to understand how the recent COVID-19 pandemic impacted burnout levels among working mothers in leadership positions and how income and work schemes play an important role in their burnout.…”

Evolving needs of men at the workplace: an Indian perspective

“…Earlier, it was observed that women were juggling between family and work-related responsibilities (Greenhaus and Beutell, 1985; Gregory and Milner, 2009; Mucharraz y Cano et al , 2023), whereas men were observed to be preoccupied with work, with less time being devoted to family (Nyman and Pettersson, 2002). Therefore, the organization’s employee benefit policies focused on working women, which aimed to decrease the role-strain arising from their work–family conflict (Mucharraz y Cano et al , 2023). However, gradually, men realized their responsibilities toward their homes and children (Galinsky et al , 2009).…”