This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
HYBRID work has become a non-negotiable for the majority of women, with 72% saying they would look for a new role if a flexible schedule was rescinded.
According to IWG’s Empowering Women in the Hybrid Workplace Report, 53% of women workers have felt emboldened to apply for more senior positions since adapting hybrid work models.
With 80% saying hybrid working was key in allowing them to apply for such roles, while 88% believe the flexibility offered by the model is an equaliser in the workplace.
“Embracing equity is the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day and hybrid working, one of the biggest innovations in the world of work in decades has the potential to substantially deliver on this vision,” said Fatima Koning, group chief commercial officer at IWG.
66% also felt hybrid working has had an impact on women experiencing less workplace biases, due to race, gender and other factors.
62% of respondents considered applying for a new job that offers more flexible working, while 48% are thinking about a career change that they would not have considered previously.
47% of those surveyed said that hybrid working has supported them in moving to a new industry.
With 58% of women also reporting that this career growth stems from hybrid working enabling them to be more efficient and productive, with 47% saying the model has helped in learning more about other roles at their company and 38% saying it has increased their visibility with senior leadership.
Women also report to hybrid working enhancing life outside of work, with 49% saying it enables more time to pursue personal passions, with 75% reporting a better work life balance.
67% responded that this increased balance came from saving both time and money on reduced commuting, 66% from more flexibility in their schedules and 44% from improved mental health.
53% of the women surveyed identified as caregivers, with 65% of these women considering flexible work arrangements a valuable caregiving benefit.
“This latest research from IWG is very encouraging and shows that more women are making major career decisions, switching jobs and industries, based substantially on the ability to access hybrid working, which is facilitating a better work/life balance and opening up new career opportunities for them,” concluded Koning.
“I have felt the personal and professional benefits of hybrid first-hand, and I am glad to see that other women are experiencing them too.”
