Workplace wellbeing: The perils of accepting unpaid ‘women’s work’ in the office

It's often assumed female employees will organise the birthday cake and card, help their coworkers, or tidy up. Many women take on these tasks willingly, but is it fair to leave the lion's share of this unpaid work to them? 

Woman is with red gift box. Employee having a birthday in the office, group of workers.

A woman on X (formerly known as Twitter) tells a story about a committee being formed at work. The committee had male and female members, but when choosing a secretary, the male chair asked only the women present if it were a role they would take on.

Another woman chimes in with a story about being the only female to volunteer with her son’s sports team and all the dads expect her to supply the sandwiches.