For many South African women, the ideal job no longer means being at a desk from 8 am to 5 pm, five days a week. Increasingly, skilled and ambitious women are making it clear: they want hybrid work.
But while the desire for hybrid work is strong, the opportunities don’t always reflect that. A large number of women still find themselves working entirely in-office, even though most would prefer a combination of working from home and working in the office.
If you’re thinking about changing jobs - or returning to work after a break - now is the time to consider what work model suits your life and ambitions.
Here are 6 pointers to consider if you’re looking for a hybrid role that works for you.
1. Women across all stages want hybrid options
RecruitMyMom’s Working Women Report 2025 shows that the majority of women across the board prefer hybrid work. 56.5% of young professional women aged 18-24 choose hybrid work over other ways of working, and similarly, of women in the senior and executive category, 54% choose hybrid.
Therefore, no matter whether you’re starting out, mid-career, or in a senior position, the preference is clear: hybrid work is in demand. It’s not about stepping back; it’s about working in a way that supports both your productivity and personal responsibilities.
2. It’s about work-life balance
Many women are supporting families on a single income, while also taking care of children, ageing parents, or both. In this context, having some control over your working hours and location isn’t just convenient - it’s often essential.
Therefore, with 41% of women being sole household income earners in South Africa and 85% supporting dependants, hybrid isn't a luxury; it's essential to sustaining a career and personal responsibilities.
3. Hybrid work supports your loyalty to your employer
We don’t need to tell you that a working woman’s loyalty depends largely on whether their needs are met at work or not. When organisations require office time without flexibility, our studies show that women start to look for new jobs.
By making your wish for a hybrid role known, you improve your chances of finding an organisation that respects and supports your lifestyle and a job you're more likely to commit to. If you are reluctant to look beyond your current position, consider having a conversation with your employer about a hybrid work arrangement.
Include in your conversation what hybrid working you would like to explore and how you will commit to ensuring that the work gets done.
4. Hybrid work enables better wellbeing
Wellbeing at work matters - and it isn’t about free coffee or subsidised gym classes. For most women, it starts with trust: the ability to get work done in a way that respects your time and circumstances.
When asked in our recent survey how employers could support workers’ wellbeing, women ranked flexibility highest (44%), followed by recognition and connection (27%). Hybrid working delivers on all three: flexibility to manage personal and family responsibilities, the ability to be present and visible in your team, and time to focus without long commutes or distractions.
5. Mentorship and culture don't need a full-time office presence
A common argument for office-based work is that it's better for mentorship and company culture. But, the data challenges this idea, and we agree with you that career development doesn’t rely on presence - it relies on productivity, contribution and intention.
Hybrid work allows for in-person connection when it matters, without daily presence. With the lack of mentorship being a significant barrier to career advancement, what's needed isn't more desk time; it's structured opportunities to learn and grow, whether online or in person.
6. Hybrid means different things to different women
Not all hybrid jobs are the same. For some women, one day a week in the office is enough. For others, it might be a mix of remote weeks with in-person time once a month. It’s helpful here to think about your own needs and working style as well as those of the company and your team.
Find clarity for yourself in what it is that you want from your work arrangement - think about the following:
- What days or tasks benefit from in-person collaboration?
- When do you do your best focused work?
- Do you need flexibility in hours as well as location?
What this means for your job search or current position
When applying for jobs, look out for job ads that mention "hybrid" or "output-based" work, companies that highlight flexibility, autonomy, or well-being, and roles that measure success by results, not time at a desk. And don't be afraid to ask about flexibility and hybrid work in your current place of work. The Working Women Report 2025 shows that flexibility is a strong contributor to retention - and good employers know it.
RecruitMyMom is here to support your next step in finding your ideal job and work arrangement. For more information, contact us here.
