How Technology Can Reduce Burnout Among Women in STEM
This Women’s Day, learn about strategies to create a supportive workplace for women in STEM with immersive technology.
Dr. Darria Long Gillespie and Obinna Onyeagoro explain how immersive technologies like VR, AR, and AI improve the workplace by addressing burnout issues and fostering inclusivity for women in STEM.
Today’s technological advancements are not just keeping pace but also sparking vital discussions on technology’s role in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the workplace. As many employees struggle to stay engaged with their work amid many competing priorities, we’re faced with the question: Can immersive technology be the catalyst for enhancing employee engagement and satisfaction?
This question is especially relevant for women in (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)STEM who have historically been underrepresented and face unique challenges that hinder their entry, progression, and retention within these unique career tracks.
Among these challenges, burnout looms large – a pervasive issue that disproportionately affects high-achieving women in high-stress roles.
However, as we navigate the complexities of these challenges, immersive technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerge as powerful tools in crafting solutions that support and empower women entering the STEM workforce.
Why are Female Leaders So Burnt Out?
Understanding the issue is imperative before diving into tactical ways we can tackle the pervasive issue of burnout among women. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of accomplishment, has been extensively documented across various professions.
Women in leadership roles, balancing high demands with the pressure of navigating gender biases and systemic barriers, are particularly susceptible. This susceptibility is not merely anecdotal – research consistently shows higher rates of burnout among women, attributing it to the dual burden of professional stress, societal expectations, and holding a leading role in their home life as a mother or core caretakers.
In STEM fields, where women are already in the minority, these challenges are compounded by the isolation and lack of mentorship opportunities. The tech industry’s fast-paced environment, coupled with the pressure to prove one’s worth continuously, creates a perfect storm for burnout among women.
The obstacles for women in STEM extend beyond burnout. Gender biases, lack of representation, and inadequate support structures contribute to feelings of imposter syndrome and isolation. It takes a twofold approach to address this issue:
- Name this issue
- Necessitate comprehensive strategies that go beyond individual resilience or coping mechanisms.
This is where immersive technologies could play a valuable role if used effectively. These tools have the potential to redefine the landscape for women in STEM by creating inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments.
It takes a nuanced and comprehensive strategy to transcend mere recognition and move towards implementing substantial, supportive measures in STEM workplaces. Many studies have shed light on the pressing need for systemic, cultural, and organizational reforms to address this epidemic effectively. It’s about creating environments where early identification and support systems are the norm, training leaders to recognize the signs of burnout, and providing access to the necessary resources within the workplace.
The organizational culture itself demands a significant overhaul. There’s a critical need for cultures that genuinely prioritize work-life balance in written policies and day-to-day practices. This involves setting realistic work expectations, respecting employees’ boundaries, and encouraging full utilization of leave entitlements without any attached stigma. In tandem, flexible work arrangements can be a powerful tool in reducing stress, especially for those juggling multiple roles at home and work. Such flexibility empowers employees to manage their responsibilities more efficiently, mitigating burnout risks.
The Role of Immersive Technologies in Supporting Women in STEM
Technological advancements have the potential to reshape workplace cultures and practices in ways that directly address the root causes of burnout. For instance, digital platforms and tools can facilitate flexible working arrangements by enabling remote work, thus helping employees balance their professional and personal lives more effectively. This aligns with the need for organizational cultures that genuinely prioritize work-life balance, making flexibility a reality rather than a mere policy.
Moreover, technology can be crucial in early identification and support for those at risk of burnout. Using data analytics and AI, organizations can develop predictive models that identify patterns indicative of burnout, such as changes in work habits or productivity levels. This allows for timely intervention and the provision of support resources, including access to online mental health services and wellness apps, directly addressing the need for supportive measures and mental health resources in the workplace.
Leadership development and performance measurement can also benefit from technological innovations. Online platforms can offer more accessible and flexible leadership training and development options, including part-time or project-based leadership roles facilitated through digital project management tools.
Further, immersive technologies can revolutionize the way women in STEM are trained, mentored, and supported. VR and AR, for example, can simulate real-world scenarios in a controlled, risk-free environment, offering women hands-on experience without the fear of judgment or failure. AI-driven platforms can facilitate personalized learning experiences and career development paths, identifying and recommending opportunities tailored to individual strengths and interests.
Such technologies can also create virtual support networks, connecting women across the globe to share experiences, advice, and mentorship. This can be particularly empowering in fields where women might feel outnumbered by male peers or overlooked due to gender biases.
Lastly, advocating for broader societal policies that support work-life integration can be bolstered by technology. For example, apps that offer on-demand childcare solutions or platforms that provide flexible working hours showcase how technology can be used to lobby for and implement policies that benefit working women.
See More: Why Enterprises Need To Invest in Immersive Tech Next
A Holistic Approach for Empowering Women in STEM
Addressing the multifaceted challenges women face in the workplace requires a holistic and nuanced strategy that extends beyond conventional solutions to foster a truly inclusive and supportive environment. This leads us to a two-pronged approach:
1. Creating supportive environments
Tackling burnout necessitates systemic, cultural, and organizational reforms. This includes establishing cultures that truly value work-life balance—where policies are lived out in daily practices, setting realistic work expectations, respecting personal boundaries, and promoting the full use of leave entitlements without stigma.
2. Embracing technological solutions
Immersive technologies can revolutionize workplace cultures and practices, addressing the root causes of burnout. For example, using technology to create employee interest/affinity groups. Many women say that j talking to others going through the same thing is hugely helpful, and creating such employee groups can be a great resource.
Leaders can also consider other ways to leverage technology to help working parents, ranging from memberships to childcare provider sites to help with childcare, meal delivery service discounts, and more to help take some of the “non-work” items off their plate.
Additionally, AI and data analytics can identify burnout risks early, facilitating timely support and access to mental health resources. Moreover, these technologies can offer more accessible leadership development opportunities and redefine performance measurement, emphasizing outcomes over hours spent.
3. Protecting flexibility
Technology can be great when it enables a parent to work asynchronously at times (e.g., you stop working at 3 p.m. to attend a child’s activity on a certain day, and then you get back online at 8 p.m.) and still accomplish everything you planned for both work and home. But those instances must be respected by others in the organization and not infringed upon unless absolutely necessary.
What Does the Future Hold?
Leveraging immersive technologies to combat burnout and foster inclusivity is critical; it’s part of a larger strategy that includes promoting work-life balance, equitable representation, and the elimination of gender biases. The path to gender equality in STEM is complex, necessitating a multi-faceted approach. Immersive technologies offer a promising avenue to address these challenges, enhancing women’s educational and professional experiences in STEM and paving the way for a more diverse and innovative future.
As we forge ahead, the focus must shift from merely increasing female representation in STEM to ensuring that these environments support their success and well-being. Immersive technologies are at the forefront of this shift with their unparalleled ability to simulate, educate, and connect. It is incumbent upon educators, industry leaders, policymakers, and communities to harness their potential and create a STEM ecosystem where women can succeed, excel, and assume leadership roles without reservation.
What innovative steps and tools are you introducing to the workplace to reduce burnout in women employees? Let us know on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you!
Image Source: Shutterstcok
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