In recent years, discussions surrounding workplace flexibility have revolved around debates over remote versus in-person work. However, a new survey suggests that the timing of work may be just as crucial as the location, especially for women striving to find a balance between work and personal life. As organizations continue to manage the evolving landscape of hybrid and flexible work arrangements, understanding the significance of timing in work schedules becomes crucial.
Deloitte’s Women @ Work: A Global Outlook report 2023, based on insights from 5,000 women across 10 countries, shedded light on the relationship between flexibility, engagement, and retention among female employees. The findings reveal a clear correlation between the level of flexibility offered by employers and women’s intentions to remain with their current organizations. Remarkably, flexibility around working hours emerged as a more significant factor influencing retention than the physical location of work.
The survey underscores the potential implications of flexible working arrangements on turnover rates. Women in highly flexible roles express a stronger commitment to their employers, with two-thirds indicating their intention to stay for more than three years. This contrasts starkly with only 19% of women in roles with limited flexibility planning to stay long-term. Moreover, the data highlights a noteworthy shift in the primary reasons driving women to consider leaving their jobs, with inflexible working hours now topping the list.
While hybrid work models have gained traction, challenges persist for women navigating unpredictable schedules and mixed messaging from employers. The survey indicates that a significant portion of women in hybrid roles experience disruptions to their work patterns and feel excluded from important meetings and interactions. Despite these obstacles, there are signs of progress, with fewer women reporting feelings of isolation and reduced exposure to senior leadership compared to the previous year.
The latest CNBC’s annual SurveyMonkey Women at Work survey offers insights into the evolving sentiments of female employees. The findings underscore a growing dissatisfaction among women, characterized by a decline in pay raises and setbacks in career advancement. Despite high levels of ambition, many women contemplate leaving their jobs due to concerns about work-life balance and career progression.
Overarching these concerns is the issue of work-life balance, with one in five women reporting a deterioration in their balance over the past year. Increased flexibility in work schedules emerges as a key factor in improving work-life balance for female employees. However, there are apprehensions, particularly among parents and women of color, regarding potential career penalties associated with flexible work arrangements.
As organizations strive to support and empower female employees, the findings from these surveys underscore the importance of prioritizing flexibility and offering tailored support to women seeking to achieve work-life balance. By embracing hybrid and flexible work options, employers can empower women to thrive professionally while maintaining equilibrium in their personal lives, ultimately driving greater engagement, retention, and organizational success. As companies work to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing landscape of work, it’s crucial to provide practical solutions and create a supportive environment where women can succeed both in their careers and personal lives.
Key Points:
- Flexible Work Hours: Offering flexible work hours is crucial for women to manage their professional responsibilities while accommodating personal commitments.
- Tailored Support Programs: Employers should implement support programs tailored to the needs of women, such as childcare assistance, parental leave policies, and mental health resources.
- Clear Communication: Effective communication between employers and employees is essential to ensure mutual understanding of expectations and flexibility arrangements.
- Embracing Hybrid Work: Embracing hybrid work models allows women to balance remote work with in-person collaboration, providing greater flexibility and autonomy.
- Workload Management: Balancing workload is a challenge for many women, requiring effective time management strategies and prioritization of tasks.
- Setting Boundaries: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life helps women maintain a healthy balance and avoid burnout.
- Supportive Workplace Culture: Cultivating a supportive workplace culture that values work-life balance reduces stress and promotes employee well-being.
- Investing in Self-Care: Encouraging women to prioritize self-care activities such as exercise, relaxation, and hobbies promotes overall well-being and resilience.
- Addressing Gender Bias: Addressing gender bias and stereotypes in the workplace is essential to create equal opportunities for women to advance in their careers while maintaining work-life balance.
- Continuous Evaluation and Adaptation: Employers should continuously evaluate their policies and practices related to work-life balance, seeking feedback from employees and making adjustments as needed to better support women in the workforce.