The Juggle 2026
the industry’s biggest consultation into work-life balance for women
In 2022 Bloom launched The Juggle - the industry's biggest consultation into work-life balance.
Now in 2026 we are reprising that research, to see how the "juggle" changed since 2022.
A lot has happened in our industry over the past four years.
Return-to-office policies. Redundancies. Industry consolidation. New technologies. Rising costs. Changing expectations, both at work and at home.
We know these changes have affected people differently, but we need more than anecdotes. We need evidence.
That's why we're partnering with PR and Marketing agency Propeller Group to relaunch the 2026 edition of The Juggle: the UK's biggest survey of women and non-binary people working in marketing, advertising and communications.
By taking part, you'll help us build a clearer picture of what it's really like to balance a career with everything else life demands. Your experiences will help shape the conversations we have with the industry and the practical resources, toolkits and support Bloom develops in response.
If you're a woman or non-binary person working in the UK marketing, advertising, media or communications industry, we'd love to hear from you.
It only takes a few minutes to complete.
📣 Please also share this with colleagues, clients and friends who work in the industry. Every response helps us build a stronger picture.
The Juggle 2022
OVERVIEW
One of our key aims is to create lasting change for women in the workplace. We strive to offer the industry practical advice and initiatives that tackle the real barriers women face at work.
The Juggle looks at how women experience work-life balance, the impact of work on their personal lives, health and relationships, and what they want from employers, all through an intersectional lens.
“My employer doesn't seem to have any policies in place but says they will look into it and have offered that I be the main touch point in the company. This doesn't really help… I’m looking for support, not to be the support.”
“I’ve been overlooked for promotion because I’m a married woman and people make assumptions that I might have children. And then colour definitely plays a part, because that’s just the way it is.”
“I feel I’m not able to ask for flexible help as if I’m not there 9am to 6pm, they’ll get someone who is. It’s a company-wide feeling.”
THE REPORT
Through our research, we sought to uncover if and how different groups of women are disproportionately impacted by a lack of support for work-life balance, and the research results have been used to develop tangible, actionable guidance for employers and individuals, so we can future proof all women's careers.
97% of women consider work-life balance important…
…but 1 in 4 rate their own balance as poor or very poor.
2 in 3 women engage in overtime at least once a week…
…but just 16% say they’re happy to do it.
93% of women say a lack of work-life balance has negatively impacted their mental health…
…and 48% say it’s been significantly impacted.
The Juggle contains these findings and more, which may make for uncomfortable reading, as well as a starting point for change – the guidance is designed to help empower individuals to advocate for better work-life balance, and to provide employers with practical steps to take to improve work-life balance for all.
Check out some of the key results:
WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING
“We’re in the midst of a work/life crisis, with 93% of women surveyed reporting that a lack of balance has negatively affected their mental health. What needs to change?”
— Stylist
“While the advertising industry has made strides in raising awareness of mental health issues, Bloom’s research underlines the importance of the lens of intersectionality to drive both understanding and change.”
— Creativebrief
Thank you to all 704 women who took part in our survey, to the 21 women who volunteered their time for interviews and talked to us about their experiences, to every person who shared the consultation with their networks, to Timewise for their input into the guidance, to Emma Parrish and Anastasia Lander for their dedicated leadership throughout this research process, and to every single woman living The Juggle – we see you, we support you. And finally, to every business leader who can affect change; our plea to you is to use this guidance to help support every woman you work with and make The Juggle that little bit easier.