Cracking the Glass Ceiling: Hybrid Working ‘non-negotiable’ as it empowers half of women to pursue promotions and new roles

More than half of female workers (53%) say hybrid working has empowered them to apply to a more senior role within their organisation, highlighting the positive impact of hybrid working on breaking the glass ceiling.

According to IWG's Empowering Women in the Hybrid Workplace Report, flexibility is key, with nearly 80% of women saying it allowed them to apply to these roles. In addition, the overwhelming majority (88%) believe that the flexibility of hybrid working serves as an equaliser in the workplace, and 66% believe it has led to them experiencing fewer biases in the workplace, whether due to gender, race or otherwise.

The research was commissioned by IWG, the world’s leading supplier of flexible workspace solutions, to mark International Women’s Day.

Hybrid working has meant more women are making major career decisions - switching jobs and industries - based on accessibility to hybrid working, facilitating better work-life balance and opening up new career opportunities for them. Three in five (62%) of respondents have considered applying for a new job offering more flexible working, and nearly half (48%) are considering a career change they would not have previously considered.

In pursuit of flexible working arrangements, many have changed industries altogether, with nearly half (47%) saying that hybrid working enabled them to move into their new initiative. Women report that this career growth comes from hybrid working making them more efficient and productive (58%), helping them learn more about other roles at their company (47%) and increasing their visibility with senior leadership (38%).

Previous research from IWG, with brands including Regus and Spaces, found that hybrid working is a critical recruitment and retention tool for HR leaders globally, and this rings true for women in particular. In fact, hybrid working has become a ‘non-negotiable’ for many women, with 72% saying they’d look for another role if their employer no longer offered a hybrid schedule and two-fifths (40%) even resigned from their previous role as a result of not having one in place.

Hybrid working does not only benefit women professionally. Across ages groups, nearly half (49%) said that hybrid working had given them more time to pursue personal passions outside of work, and the majority (75%) of women reported a better work-life balance as a result of saving both time and money on reduced commuting (67%), more flexibility in their schedules (66%) and improved mental health (44%).

In addition, among the 53% of women who identify as caregivers, 65% considered flexible work arrangements a valuable caregiving benefit, recognising that through hybrid working, they can save money and have more time to participate in family events.

Fatima Koning, Group Chief Commercial Officer, IWG, commented: "Embracing equity is the theme of this year's International Women's Day and hybrid working, one of the most significant innovations in the world of work in decades, has the potential to deliver on this vision substantially.

This latest research from IWG is very encouraging. It shows that more women are making major career decisions, switching jobs and industries, based substantially on the ability to access hybrid working, facilitating a better work/life balance and opening up new career opportunities for them. 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".

(ENDS)

About IWG PLC

IWG is leading the workspace revolution. Our companies help millions of people and their businesses to work more productively. We do so by providing a choice of professional, inspiring and collaborative workspaces, communities and services.

Digitalisation and new technologies are transforming the world of work. People want the personal productivity benefits of living and working how and where they want. Businesses want financial and strategic benefits. Our customers are start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large multinationals with unique business goals, people and aspirations. They want workspaces and communities to match their needs. They want a choice.

Through our companies, we provide that choice and serve the whole world of work: Regus, Spaces, No18, Basepoint, Open Office and Signature. We create personal, financial, and strategic value for businesses of every size, from some of the most exciting companies and well-known organisations on the planet to individuals and the next generation of industry leaders. They all harness the power of flexible working to increase their productivity, efficiency, agility, and market proximity.Join us at www.iwgplc.com