The tech industry is often celebrated for innovation and progress, yet behind the buzz, many women are weighing whether to limit their hours, step back from leadership, or leave the field entirely. Burnout is at the heart of this crossroads, and its impact goes far beyond individual exhaustion.
In the most recent Gender in Tech report from the Web Summit, 42 percent of respondents said they considered scaling back or leaving the industry in the past year. When you look closer by age, the risk peaks in mid-career: over half of women ages 35 to 44 have thought about stepping back, precisely when they are becoming leaders and mentors.
The primary drivers for these decisions are telling. Burnout and health took the top spot at 57 percent. Right behind is the cost or availability of childcare at 54 percent. Rather than being lured away by better opportunities, most women are pushed to the edge by challenges we can actually address.
The data shows it’s not just ambition or stamina that’s in short supply. It’s the support structures that could keep experienced and talented women solving problems in the field. Workplaces need to pay greater attention to the real-life pressures like childcare, expectations around overwork, and a culture that overlooks crucial life stages such as pregnancy or menopause.
One powerful insight comes straight from a respondent who noted, “Women are encouraged to have it all, which means doing it all until they burn out instead of building a healthy, human-centric tech culture.” The industry must move beyond slogans and start asking how to create the conditions for women to stay, thrive, and lead.
If we want to see real progress, it’s time for honest conversations and concrete action to tackle the root causes of burnout. Otherwise, we risk losing the very people who could be leading the change tech needs.
You can also listen to our full rundown of the report here.
Quotes for X
- “Burnout and health concerns—not bigger opportunities—are pushing women to consider leaving tech. Solvable problems, if only they’re addressed.”
- “Mid-career women are at the tipping point: over half are thinking about stepping back, just when they could become industry leaders.”
Quotes for LinkedIn
- “The top reasons women consider leaving tech aren’t about brighter prospects elsewhere, but about burnout and the daily struggle to balance work with life.”
- “Workplace culture must evolve to support women through all stages of their personal and professional lives, or risk losing valuable leaders.”
Casual Quote for X and LinkedIn Personal Profile
“Sometimes the biggest barrier in tech isn’t talent, it’s burnout. Supporting women through real-life challenges keeps doors open for all of us.”
