Norms and roles change constantly, as
do we. In this ever-evolving world, it is no surprise that we are faced with
yet another normal – telecommuting, more popularly known as ‘Work from Home’.
What was earlier a luxury offered by companies as a perk, is now the world’s
normal. In simple words, WFH is a work arrangement wherein employees do not
commute or travel to a central place of work, such as an office building,
warehouse, etc. Instead, they can connect through virtual means and get their
work done from anywhere they wish.
The 21st century, along with
a history-changing pandemic, has seen the rise in the empowerment of women across
the world. Women are breaking barriers imposed on them by society, achieving
excellence in all fields. They are constantly being uplifted and pushed nearer
to equality as they rightfully deserve!
Data shows us that as WFH has become the rule for the majority of the workforce, more companies are offering remote jobs, hence creating opportunities for women who want to create, advance, or re-enter their professional careers. Particularly these sharing the domestic burdens and finding it difficult to excuse home in the search of opportunities that they deserve.
As per Bloomberg, WFH shows promising opportunities for women in this pandemic – ‘India’s $200 billion technology services industry, where new rules are expected to provide female workers with a broad swath of flexible work arrangements and fresh employment opportunities.’ And in fact, Fast Company survey shows that women are more likely to prefer working from home than men – 62% vs. 53%.
So why and how does WFH help create jobs for women?
According to various studies dating
back to the 1970s and as recently as 2014, women are more likely to be
interrupted in workplaces. They are also less likely to be picked for a job
over a man. WFH culture counters this discrimination women face as the focus is
more or less gravitating towards productivity and results produced by the employee.
Data also indicates that women are three times more likely to attain leadership
positions in companies with remote workers than in their traditional
counterparts.
A remote environment levels the playing
field by challenging the unconscious bias against many women that exist in-person. Another point is the default position of a woman as the ‘trailing
spouse’; women are more likely to move for their husbands’ careers. WFH
provides these women with a way of pursuing their career or applying to job
opportunities of their choice even in case they relocate for their husband’s
jobs.
Safety concerns due to timings or
unsafe locations are no longer valid, hence making women eligible for all jobs
that were before out of their reach. In India, women were not actively
considered for night shift jobs citing safety concerns. But, overnight, all
such excuses have been taken away and now they seem to be eligible for all
kinds of jobs.
WFH does pose some problems in form of
simultaneous performance pressure for women – on the job and also at home and
the maintenance of this dual burden is quite real. WFH culture in recent
times has seen companies sensitizing male employees to pitch in and help ease
this double burden that women may face as a result of job opportunities from home.
In conclusion, the shift towards
productivity-centric work culture due to Work from Home definitely helps to
create jobs for women. Women want to work remotely, because remote work offers
advantages for women in the workplace, mitigates biases against them, and
creates opportunities that they might not have otherwise.
-by
Amulya J
Member, Women in Business club, MH
