"7 out of 10 Women Entrepreneurs Face Challenges in Work-Life Balance"

Women's Economic Research Institute, June Survey Results

The 'Women’s Economic Research Institute' under the Women’s Enterprise Comprehensive Support Center announced on the 7th that, based on a survey conducted from June 2 to 22 targeting 40,696 companies issued with Women-Owned Business Certificates, 75.2% of the 648 valid respondents reported experiencing difficulties in balancing work and life. The graph shows the degree and details of difficulties in work-life balance. Source: Women’s Economic Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Seven out of ten women entrepreneurs reported having difficulties balancing work and life.

The Women’s Economic Research Institute under the Women’s Enterprise Support Center conducted a survey on the “Work-Life Balance and Discrimination Status of Women Entrepreneurs” from June 2 to 22, targeting 40,696 companies issued with women entrepreneur certificates. On the 7th, it announced that among 648 valid responses, 75.2% reported difficulties in balancing work and life.

The difficulties experienced were mainly “physical issues such as chronic fatigue” (47.6%) and “lack of personal time” (15.4%).

44.6% of women entrepreneurs experienced discriminatory treatment, with the most common reason being “negative stereotypes and prejudices about the ability and expertise of women managers” (38.8%).

Regarding efforts to balance work and life, the most common response was “investing a lot of time to maintain work-family balance” at 29.5%. This was followed by “needing more preparation to avoid being ignored in external meetings or by clients” at 26.7%.

73.5% responded that more effort is needed going forward, with the top reason being “higher expertise requirements compared to men, so more study is needed” (39.3%).

59.1% of women entrepreneurs reported high satisfaction with their work, and 67.9% reported a high sense of happiness.

Regarding the positive impact of work on family life, “working provides a sense of fulfillment and vitality” was the highest at 96.6%, but the most common negative impact was “work stress continuing outside of working hours” at 71.0%.

Regarding the impact of family life on work, “working harder due to responsibility for family or self” was the highest at 94.6%, but the most common negative impact was “difficulty balancing work due to many household chores” at 55.7%.

Lee Ui-jun, Executive Vice President of the Korea Women Entrepreneurs Association, said, “In Europe, the treatment, conditions, and considerations for women entrepreneurs are separately legislated, and guidelines to improve discrimination are established to make efforts for better treatment.” He added, “To improve the gender-discriminatory business environment for women entrepreneurs, it is necessary to consider introducing systems such as support for hiring substitute personnel during maternity and parental leave, expanding support such as income deductions for caregiving and childcare costs, and spreading positive social awareness of women entrepreneurs’ business activities, similar to overseas cases.”

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