Women demonstrate a strong ambition in their professional lives, with a significant 87% expressing career aspirations in a recent survey. Approximately half of them, 48%, classify themselves as “very ambitious,” reflecting the results of a nationwide SurveyMonkey poll encompassing over 18,800 U.S. employees conducted between February 21 and March 3.
Concerns Over Career Growth Amidst Flexibility
While women appreciate various aspects of their current roles, including work-life balance and job satisfaction, they contend with a pervasive concern: the potential negative impact of flexible work arrangements on their career growth. Presently, 34% of women cite a solid work-life balance as a reason for their job satisfaction, whereas 27% highlight the happiness derived from flexible work structures.
Women aged 18 to 34 are particularly inclined to prioritize work-life balance and flexibility in their employment. In the current workforce landscape, 75% of female employees work predominantly or entirely in-person, while only 11% operate mostly or completely remotely, and 12% work in a hybrid model.
Despite access to flexible benefits, a considerable number of women—40%—express anxiety about utilizing them. They fear that taking advantage of options such as paid leave or remote work could hinder their professional advancements.
Impact of Return-to-Office Mandates
The recent trend of return-to-office (RTO) mandates, implemented by both government entities and private companies, exacerbates these fears. As articulated by Tara Van Bommel, director of research at Catalyst, a nonprofit organization promoting equitable workplaces for women, the rollback of previously available flexibility may create a perception that utilizing such options is not career-friendly.
“When companies revert from flexible work policies, this can send the message that these options aren’t safe to use,” she explains.
Work-Life Balance Influencing Job Decisions
The motivations that lead women to contemplate leaving their jobs differ significantly from those that result in actual resignations. Approximately 21% of respondents indicated they have “seriously considered quitting” to mitigate work-related stress and seek higher-paying positions. Notably, among the 8% who recently left their jobs, the predominant reason was to secure roles that offer improved work-life balance.
In fact, women are slightly more inclined than their male counterparts to remain at jobs primarily due to flexibility, rather than competitive compensation. This trend is especially vital for those juggling parental and caregiving duties.
Van Bommel illustrates that while financial remuneration is a critical consideration, the benefits of job flexibility can be equally substantial, suggesting that women may be evaluating their options based on personal priorities.
Challenges in Finding Remote Opportunities
The current job market offers limited flexibility, presenting complications for job seekers. Many are disillusioned as hiring rates plummet, job creation slows, and navigating AI-driven application processes becomes increasingly daunting.
In a recent survey involving around 700 women seeking employment, 90% reported significant difficulty in their search, primarily due to a lack of remote or hybrid opportunities. Notably, 46% of women reported this challenge as a key barrier, compared to just 27% of men.
As of January 2025, only 9% of LinkedIn job postings were classified as remote, while these roles attracted 40% of applications. Similarly, hybrid positions, comprising about 13% of listings, received nearly a fifth of all applications as reported by LinkedIn analytics.
With an uptick in RTO policies across various sectors, the quest for remote or hybrid positions may further intensify. The decision of other companies to implement in-office mandates will largely hinge on whether they can substantiate business benefits such as enhanced productivity.
Studies suggest that reinstating mandatory office schedules often fails to translate into improved employee engagement or corporate profits.
“I believe more organizations are experimenting with how far they can retract flexibility,” notes Van Bommel, “Conversely, many companies recognize that adopting flexible work models is essential for the future landscape of employment.”
