Hybrid working is a key driver in accelerating gender parity and supporting women’s career progression, a new survey suggests, with two thirds of women (67%) reporting that the flexibility it offers has had a positive impact on their career trajectory.
A study of more than 1,000 female workers by by International Workplace Group revealed that hybrid working is considered almost twice as important as parental leave (36%) in supporting women at work. This is thanks to the myriad advantages offered by hybrid working, including a greater work-life balance (58%), increased flexibility (58%) and time saved commuting (54%) by being able to work closer to home or in local workspaces.
Offering female workers this flexibility is a win-win for businesses, with other studies suggesting that flexible working also drives productivity and talent retention. Recent research by Mortar Research among 505 UK business leaders found that seven out of 10 (69%) businesses with flexible working policies report improved productivity, with the same percentage believing that their policies have boosted their ability to attract and retain top talent.
A 2023 McKinsey study also revealed how companies with representation of women exceeding 30% (and thus in the top quartile) are significantly more likely to financially outperform those with 30% or fewer.
The data also shows that hybrid work is crucial to advancing gender parity in the workplace. Half of women (49%) reported that hybrid work has led to promotions into more senior roles and a similar amount (48%) said increased flexibility had been crucial to advancing their career. An overwhelming 84% of women also said that workplace flexibility is a key decision making factor when applying for a new role.
Across all ages, the majority of women said flexible work had helped level the playing field in the workplace (68%). However, there is still more to be done. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take until 2158 (in approximately five generations time) to reach gender parity if the current rate of progress continues - but flexibility will be a key factor in lessening the gender parity gap, according to half of women (52%).
Eight in 10 (81%) women say they are more productive and efficient when able to work from a location of their choosing. Furthermore, a study by Stanford Professor Nicholas Bloom found that the hybrid model increases productivity by 3% to 4% on average, which can significantly impact overall performance.
The International Workplace Group research revealed that time consuming and costly commuting is a particular issue for women juggling multiple family commitments. Almost two-thirds (63%) of women said that hybrid working meant that they could stay in the workforce instead of leaving due to caretaking responsibilities. A similar proportion (62%)of female employees also said they would leave their job if required to undertake long commutes daily into work.
“IWG’s latest study shines a light on the key role hybrid and more flexible ways of working opportunities can play in achieving parity,” said Fatima Koning, CCO of International Workplace Group. “Our findings underline the importance of this flexibility for promoting women’s career advancement, improving productivity and attracting, as well as retaining, female talent.”
Mark Dixon, CEO of International Workplace Group, added: “Companies that prioritise flexible working arrangements will gain a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top female talent. But the benefits don’t end there. Hybrid work has also been proven to enhance productivity and reduce overheads, making it essential for business success, driving both talent retention and a healthier bottom line.”