How we work continues to evolve post-pandemic, but one trend remains among Canadian employees: a continued desire for work-life balance. According to our latest Workmonitor survey, almost all respondents think it’s important to both their current job and future employment. The good news, most seem to have it.
However, close to 20 percent of women surveyed feel their employer doesn’t offer a good work-life balance - and they shouldn’t be ignored. After all, females still tend to carry the load of at-home responsibilities and caregiving. As an employer, it’s important to consider female employees’ motivations and opinions. Here are three top insights from our report:
1. a desire for flexible work arrangements
Even with more demand on their time outside of work, women appear to have less flexibility around when, where, and how much they work when compared to men. According to our survey:
- Forty-seven percent of females agree that they have flexibility in choosing both where and how much they work, compared to 57 percent of males.
- Fifty-five percent of women say they can control when they work (67% for men).
However, a significant number of women still view being able to work from home as a non-negotiable. Given these results, a clear desire for flexibility remains.
2. expectations for better company policies
The rising cost of living, coupled with the demands of raising a family, make supportive company policies more important than ever. Here are two that stand out:
pay equity
When asked what the most important initiative or policy is for a potential or current employer to offer, 47 percent of females said gender pay equity. Just 28 percent of males responded the same.
This is not surprising, considering fewer female respondents believe their job provides the pay they need to live the life they want (64% as compared to 75% of males surveyed). While everyone feels pressure financially, women seem to feel it the most.
parental leave
Parental and career leave policies are also desired, with 13 percent of women and 18 percent of men ranking this as the most important initiative or policy for a potential or current employer. Currently, 39 percent of females (46% of males) believe their job provides enough support around parental/career leave, leaving room for improvement.
3. a desire for a supportive work culture
Company culture matters, particularly for female employees. In fact, 42 percent of female respondents have quit a job because of a toxic workplace, compared to just 31 percent of males. The right culture fosters ambition, advancement, and well-being. But women aren’t feeling this at the same rate as their male counterparts.
In fact, 51% percent of women want to take on more managerial responsibilities compared to 50% percent of males. They also seem to be less reluctant than men to share their ambitions with their employers, particularly if they want to progress quickly (57% vs. 47%).
promoting work-life balance
Intentionally supporting women in today’s workforce benefits all employees – and your organization. Here’s how you can get started:
1. provide feedback channels
Create avenues for employees to share their ideas and concerns openly.
2. review your policies
Assess existing policies to ensure they meet employee needs, especially regarding work-life balance and gender equality.
3. address gender disparities
Take proactive steps to close gender gaps in the workplace, including bias mitigation and support for women's advancement.
4. work with a trusted partner
Seek guidance from our experts to develop tailored solutions for promoting work-life balance and gender equality.
