Q. Is working from home a boon for women?
Half of those who were employed before the pandemic are now working remotely. As company executives see excellent work being achieved with heightened productivity, a growing number of companies, including Facebook and Twitter, are announcing that they will allow employees to work remotely on a permanent basis. It’s tempting to think that such flexible work options will be a big equalizer for women. Many are hoping that by cutting commute time and the insidious ‘face time’ norms, women can maintain full-time jobs and avoid losing traction in their careers.
But before we declare victory, we need to consider some potential trip wires. Globally, the response of the state and economic sectors to the pandemic has been very gendered. For most women, working from home has reinforced the stereotype of men as providers and women as caregivers particularly for families with young children. While women continue to juggle personal and professional commitments, many men prefer to restrict themselves to their work desk. Women have also been victims to the “double burden syndrome” where they are now expected to double up on the home chores with increased workload from office, impacting their mental well-being.
This nudges us to evaluate the question - Is working from home really a boon for women?
Your Views
Thank you for the overwhelming response to the second debate of the season. Close to 70% of you believe that work-from-home is a boon for women. We have heard from you about all the benefits- the flexibility, the proximity to family and the balance between professional and personal lives. We have also heard you all talk about the challenges- how the lines between the two worlds are blurred, and how all the work is leading to physical and mental exhaustion. It’s safe to say that even though there is potential here, we have a long way to go before WFH becomes a true boon. Women need to re-negotiate the dynamics of this new normal with both employer and family, in a way that the worlds can exist harmoniously. Here’s hoping the employers and families extend their support so that not only do we all productively contribute, but also enjoy good physical and mental health. See you again for the next debate!
Thank you, Izna for brining the point about women’s mental health. While women working from home may be seen as successfully managing both personal and professional worlds, has someone asked them if they are doing okay? All the physical and mental load can be overwhelming and mentally exhausting. Is WFH safe for women’s mental health in the long run?
Easier to multitask
We are now on the last day of our debate. About 69% of you have voted in favour of WFH being a boon for women. As long as the pandemic lasts, work-from-home is definitely the safer option. The question that arises is- should India Inc. try to make this a permanent arrangement? In terms of workplace practices, Silicon Valley has again been the first-mover. While Facebook, Google, and Salesforce have extended WFH for their employees until the end of the year, Twitter has gone the extra mile and said its employees could opt for it permanently. Closer to home, IT major TCS has announced plans to ensure that 75% of its workforce will work from home by 2025. While most of us are willing to deal with it in the short term, do you think it is feasible to continue working from home in the long term as well?
We've read and agreed upon the fact to keep personal and professional lives a specific distance apart. But, when it comes to a pandemical situation like past six months since the virus took over a part, businesses have been fallen into debt and employees have been relentlessly working upon bringing their job up while job insecurity prevails in their psychological pathway, with this homes have lost the feeling of a home and offices have lost the meaning of an active and well being employee. Formal environment is just another formality. Hence, mental health has been largely compromised.
The clear distinction between family time and office time has disappeared which makes it impossible to be fully present in both scenarios. Work from home is not a boon with kids at home because irrespective of the help we hire the fact remains that they re at hearing distance making it quite a distraction for work resulting in a drop in the productivity. Also the lack of the work environment wherein discussions between the various teams was easier and quicker also hinders productivity.
Multitasking is possible
A yes and a no. Work from home definitely gives more flexibility to a working mom. But a hybrid model is better for a long term solution. Going to office, meeting people, in person meetings have their own productivity benefits
WFH is a boon for women! However, in the long term, I would love to see a hybrid model of work for women!
Shehnaz says she can’t wait to go out there. There is something about offices that enhances overall productivity and contributes to better mental health of employees. The atmosphere at work — conversations and coffee breaks with colleagues throughout the day — is an important factor for job satisfaction and productivity. Do you miss going to the office? Would you like to continue working from home after the pandemic is over?
I think it breaks mental barriers, it makes one realise her full potential. I personally find it easier to work longer hours than otherwise, because I have my family my folks around. The proximity with our support system makes a difference.
I guess it becomes very overwhelming at a point. I can't wait to go out there!
Work-from-home is not a new concept, and has been around for a while. Many companies had already been successfully practicing WFH even before the outbreak of COVID-19. In certain industries, just about everything can be done and managed from home, including meetings, daily tasks, scrums, follow-ups, etc. However, for those who are in industries like manufacturing, hospitality, performing arts and heavy industries, it is not so easy to run things from home. Are you employed in a sector where it takes twice the energy and effort to do the same tasks from home? Share your experience with us.
A very warm welcome on the last day of our much talked about debate- is work-from-home a boon or a bane for women? We have now heard views on both sides. Even though a vast majority, 68% of you believe that is a boon, we cannot ignore the specific challenges faced. As Nisreen has pointed out, it also depends on one's profession. Anu, being a fitness trainer has really benefited from the WFH situation. Poornima feels that making dough and sourdough is not a great combination afterall. This is the last day, and we would really like to hear your views. Tell us about your experience. And don't forget to share the link with your friends and ask them to participate as well.
Its a mix of work and family responsibilities, at the same time and in the same place
I absolutely agree. Though many husbands share the load but it is still big responsibility
I strongly believe that Working from Home for business women is NOT recommended as it poses more mental threat than convenience. The productivity, concentration and effieciency is cent per cent affected by working from home. We definitely need to interact physically with people, build strong bonds and succeed. For back end users, working from home is boon whilst for front end users, it is not recommended
Hi! I am a fitness trainer and have been a trainer freelancing with gyms for over 10 yrs. After the lockdown happened I started to take a online class. It's been 5 months and now I have three classes and over 40 clients who love my classes and never want me to stop. Financially also it has been great as without any investment I am earning 100 percent. Earlier I had to share 50 percent with gym owners. For me working from home is a boon. Finally I am flying solo and so much appreciation from my clients is really boosting my confidence.
Women are more worked up with rise in responsiblity and lack of support. The syndrome is due to the current situation and its only viable to be working from home. Anyone at risk, anyone being exposed, anyone away from close family, is more stressful than the current blurry wfh situation. If you create your boundaries, have a schedule for all (complementing yours) then wfh is definately better than the added stress (due to chores, risk which increase if you step out) that only a woman is expected to handle.
While it saves one from the hassles of commuting there are days you miss the space from family breathing down your neck -Juggling with making dough n making sourdough! :)
Further Reading
By altering attitudes toward working from home (WFH), COVID-19 may have forever changed the way we work....more