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Research based on official UK data reveals that professional women have increasingly opted to work full-time since the pandemic, particularly in sectors where hybrid and remote working have become the norm. This analysis of Office for National Statistics microdata conducted by consultancy firm Public First demonstrates some of the strongest evidence to date highlighting the individual and broader economic benefits of homeworking.
The percentage of women in the UK who work full-time has risen from 56.5% in 2019 to 58.7% this year. However, in sectors where many companies have implemented hybrid work policies, the increase has been even greater. For instance, in finance and insurance, the proportion of women working full-time has risen from 75% to 83%. In information and communication, it has risen from 79% to 83%, and in other professional services, it has risen from 68% to 71%.
The trend is particularly notable among mothers, with the percentage working full-time increasing by more than 10 percentage points in finance and IT.
Rachel Wolf, a founding partner of Public First, stated that this research provides “convincing evidence that the stuff that was accelerated by Covid is really beneficial to a chunk of the labour force that has high human capital and doesn’t work as many hours as men.”
While factors such as living costs and increased paternal involvement in childcare may also contribute to longer working hours for mothers, the research clearly indicates a contrast between sectors where homeworking is feasible and those that still rely heavily on on-site presence.
Lower-paid fields have also seen a significant increase in the percentage of women working full-time, especially in administrative and support services where remote work is prevalent. Conversely, the hospitality sector has experienced a sharp decline as many employers now offer more family-friendly shifts due to labor shortages.
These increases in women’s working hours are crucial considering the overall decline of the UK’s workforce during the pandemic. Data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that the proportion of working-age adults who are neither employed nor seeking employment has reached 21.1%, with a record 2.6 million citing ill health as the reason for not working.
However, gains in female employment could be at risk if employers decide to roll back hybrid working policies as the labor market weakens and employees have less leverage to demand flexibility.
The findings from Public First’s analysis are part of a broader report published by the Hybrid Work Commission, which aims to advise ministers on maximizing the benefits of post-pandemic working practices.
The commission’s report indicates that three-quarters of hybrid workers believe it has improved their work-life balance, and 70% of parents with children under 18 say it has made juggling their responsibilities easier. However, a majority of employers with hybrid work arrangements are not convinced that it enhances productivity. This perception gap may hinder British businesses from fully capitalizing on the benefits of hybrid and remote work.
Ministers have sent mixed messages regarding homeworking, alternating between urging employees to return to the office for the sake of younger colleagues and city center economies, and justifying cuts to sickness benefits by highlighting the availability of remote work.
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