A quarter of senior marketers say they are stressed all or most of the time, and only a third feel they have a good work-life balance, according to a new survey that raises questions about how employers are managing expectations in high-pressure roles.
A poll of 200 senior marketers at mid- to large-sized organisations, conducted by content management platform Storyblok, found that job-related stress is spilling into personal lives. Nine percent of respondents said work stress causes them to argue “all the time” with their partners, while a further 13.5 percent said it often led to arguments. Just one in five said it never did.
Despite the high levels of stress, 77 percent said they had no regrets about entering the profession, and 70 percent said they would be happy for their children to follow the same path.
The findings come at a time of widespread discussion about workplace boundaries, meeting culture and AI. While the survey focused on marketers, the issues raised will resonate with HR professionals more broadly, especially those tasked with wellbeing, flexible working and future-of-work strategies.
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Always on, even on holiday
The survey found that marketing professionals are struggling to switch off. One in ten said they check work emails every hour while on holiday, with nearly half checking multiple times a day and a quarter admitting they cannot stop thinking about work while away.
Around one-third of marketers said they start working early in the morning before the official start of the workday, and more than half (56 percent) reported being more productive outside of normal office hours. This suggests that many are regularly working beyond contracted time, whether formally or not.
For HR teams, this may raise concerns about unpaid overtime, burnout risks and the cultural signals that are shaping how “success” is measured in performance-driven teams.
Meetings falling short
Only 32 percent of respondents said they enjoyed work meetings, and fewer than half (46.5 percent) believed the meetings they attend are productive. Poor meeting culture has been widely recognised as a source of frustration and inefficiency across industries, and this data reinforces the case for reducing unnecessary meetings or adopting new formats.
HR leaders seeking to improve productivity may want to review meeting schedules and team dynamics, especially for roles that require deep focus or creative output, experts say.
Appetite for a four-day week
Three-quarters of those surveyed said they would be happier and more productive if given the option of a four-day working week, even if it meant longer daily hours. This aligns with growing support for condensed working weeks across the UK, including recent trials showing benefits for employee wellbeing, engagement and retention.
For marketers in particular, who face high demands from internal and external stakeholders, a shorter week could help re-establish healthier boundaries without reducing total output.
Turning to AI over colleagues
The survey also found that 26 percent of marketers now turn to AI tools before asking a colleague when faced with a work-related problem. Just 24 percent said they would ask a teammate first.
It’s especially relevant for HR departments developing internal knowledge-sharing systems and team cohesion strategies. The increasing reliance on generative AI for problem-solving may bring efficiency gains but could also erode collaboration and workplace connection if not carefully balanced.
Marketers were also asked whether they believed AI could replace their developer colleagues. Eighteen percent said they could do all of a developer’s work using AI, while 32 percent said they could manage most of it. This could prompt further discussion about skills crossover and the need for upskilling in technical and creative roles alike.
Stress, loyalty and culture
While the profession clearly comes with pressure, most respondents still expressed a strong sense of loyalty. Despite long hours, disrupted holidays and high stress levels, 77 percent had no regrets about their career, and most would recommend it to their children.
Dominik Angerer, CEO and co-founder of Storyblok, said the survey was conducted in the context of a rapidly changing workplace. “Marketers are among the most exposed to the impact of technological developments, so gaining a deeper understanding of their personal workplace preferences, stresses and productivity more broadly can help businesses determine how best to manage change, improve happiness and productivity.”
The findings offer valuable insights not only for marketing leaders but also for HR professionals tasked with supporting wellbeing, shaping future work models and embedding AI ethically and effectively across teams.
