Balancing the demands of work and home life can feel overwhelming–caring for young children, managing a career with long hours, supporting aging parents, and tending to beloved pets. These responsibilities weigh heavily on the shoulders of working women, and for mothers, the load only increases. The idea of achieving a work-life balance can seem out of reach, especially when faced with an employer that expects employees to be in the office most, if not all, days.
Women have made significant strides in breaking through corporate barriers, yet the rigid constraints of a traditional full-time, in-person job can still be limiting. Fortunately, the shift toward remote and hybrid work—accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic—has created new opportunities for flexibility. According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024 report, 92% of companies now offer remote or hybrid work options, a notable increase from 75% in 2018. Employees consistently report that flexible arrangements lead to greater productivity and reduced burnout.
Further research supports the importance of flexibility for working women. The CNBC | SurveyMonkey poll: Women at Work 2025 found that flexibility and work-life balance are key factors in retaining female employees, particularly those with children under 18. While enjoying their work is the top reason women stay in their jobs (51%), 34% cite work-life balance and 27% highlight flexible work arrangements. Among those women who say their work-life balance has improved in the past year, 53% say it was due to more flexible work schedules. In addition, women who plan to stay with their organizations long-term often attribute their commitment to the ability to balance their profession with personal responsibilities.
Despite these gains, flexibility in the workplace is at risk. One in three employees in the McKinsey study reported a decline in workplace flexibility, and a tightening job market is reducing the availability of remote and hybrid roles—disproportionately impacting women. Additionally, 40% of women with full- or part-time jobs surveyed in the CNBC poll are concerned that taking advantage of flexible work arrangements may prevent them from achieving their professional goals. Half (49%) of women say their mental health suffers to the point of feeling burned out because of their jobs all or some of the time.
Where do you stand in your professional journey? Are you searching for greater flexibility and balance? At TALENT SHIFT®, we are committed to helping professionals build fulfilling, flexible opportunities. By fostering a strong community and an extensive network of connections, we empower job seekers to explore new work-related paths, develop skills, and grow professionally. With years of experience guiding professionals toward projects that offer both work-life balance and exciting growth opportunities, the TALENT SHIFT® team is here to support you.
To learn how TALENT SHIFT® can help advance your career, visit our website to explore our candidate resources, current openings, and latest industry insights.
