According to the Working Women Report in SA 2025 findings, 68% of women in South Africa would prefer to work full-time with flexibility, yet only 39% currently do. Even more telling is that 43% of women currently work full-time with no flexibility, whereas only 3.4% prefer that arrangement.
Looking at the data, it's easy to say that there is a significant gap between your reality and your working hours preference So, how do you get what you want from work?
The working hours women in South Africa currently work vs. how they would prefer to work.
Source: Working women in SA Report 2025
The value of work-life integration
Whether you're raising children, caring for ageing parents, or studying part-time, flexibility at work enables you to show up fully in all areas of life. It's not about working less hours; it's about working smartly.
Many women are asking: How do I structure a career around my life, not the other way around? The answer often lies in finding or negotiating work that aligns with how you want work-life integration.
Let's look at what flexibility means and explore some of its forms.
Full-Time hours with flexibility: What you need to know
Full-time work with flexibility is by far the most preferred way of working among women in South Africa, indicating that many women want to remain fully engaged in their careers while balancing their wider responsibilities and personal well-being.
We know from the Working Women Report that the majority of women, 74%, work for financial security, which makes a full-time job offering flexibility highly appealing.
Working full-time hours with flexibility could mean remote work, flexible start and end times, a results-based output model, or hybrid arrangements that reduce commuting. But as with any work model, it comes with trade-offs and considerations.
Here are some tips for flexible working:
Be structured and accountable
Full-time, flexible work still requires disciplined self-management. You'll need to balance autonomy with clear deliverables and output and proactive communication.
Ensure you are visible for advancement
In less mature but flexible work cultures, visibility can impact your promotion opportunities. Ensure that your contributions are visible and valued, particularly when you're not always physically present.
Put boundaries in place
Flexibility can blur the lines between work and home life. Be intentional about setting boundaries to prevent burnout and protect your personal time.
Hybrid working wins with team dynamics
Working from home shouldn't mean isolation. Ensure that your role and team culture facilitate regular collaboration, feedback, and connection. This means being proactive with your teammates. A need for connection explains why 57% of working women in South Africa prefer hybrid working, with 38% seeking fully remote and only 6% fully in-office
Full-time work with flexibility can offer the best of both worlds: stability, income, and growth, alongside the ability to manage your day in a way that supports the rest of your life.
Part-Time hours with flexibility: What you need to know
Thirteen per cent of women in South Africa stated that they prefer in part-time working hours with flexibility. Reasons for wanting part-time hours with flexibility could include managing caregiving responsibilities, childcare duties, or life transitions while also providing opportunities to pursue additional income streams or personal goals.
Things to consider when taking on a part-time job
Reduced earning potential
Are you willing to trade off a higher salary for fewer hours? What impact will this have on your long-term financial goals?
Career progression: Limitation or indicator of loyalty
Does your employer offer meaningful growth opportunities in part-time roles? It can be tricky to convince an employer that "reduced time" does not mean "reduced ambition." However, taking on a part-time role during a child-rearing season can also indicate to an employer that you are serious about your career and loyal, needing a bridging solution to keep you in the role for a limited period.
Scope creep
Be clear on your boundaries. It's easy for part-time roles to gradually expand to full-time expectations without a corresponding increase in remuneration. Keep a digital time log.
If you're considering part-time work, map your monthly expenses and evaluate what salary you realistically need. Then, look for roles that offer flexibility without compromising financial stability.
How to ask your company for flexibility
Whether you're applying for a new role or negotiating within your current one, asking for flexibility can be a difficult conversation to have. But more employers are open to it than you might expect, especially when you make a solid case for working flexibly.
Here's how to approach it:
1) Be specific. Are you asking for a flexible work location or flexible work hours? Avoid asking for flexibility without backing up the request with clear reason and justification. For example: "I'd like to work from home three days a week and be in-office on Tuesdays and Thursdays" is a request that includes a solution to how flexible working might work best for you and your employer.
2) Highlight the business benefits. Link your request to your ability to stay productive, reduce burnout, and contribute in the long term. Employers want stability, and making a case for that is key.
3) Offer a trial period. Suggest a three-month test period to demonstrate that your flexible schedule delivers results.
4) Show your track record. If you've worked well remotely before, share examples. If you're reliable and output-driven, let that speak for itself. Trust goes both ways - ensure you give your boss no reason to doubt your ability to work more flexibly.
The implications of choosing flexibility
Choosing to work differently means taking ownership of how you define success. For some, that might mean working a four-day week and delivering 100% productivity, but gaining time with children or improving mental health. For others, it could be embracing a hybrid model that offers home-based working without sacrificing team connection and in-office visibility
A financial benefit of working flexibly is that fewer expenses are incurred for the hidden costs of an in-office job, such as transportation and fuel, a work wardrobe and time lost to sitting in traffic.
Why us when looking for a job?
At RecruitMyMom, we understand the nuance of what today's working women want, as well as what employers need. We specialise in placing skilled women in professional roles across various industries and at all seniority levels. We will always look for flexibility in the role, and if we can’t, then we will service the 6% who seek full-time in-office jobs.
From admin and finance to creative and executive placements, we match talent with opportunity in a way that respects your life, ambition, and contribution.
Whether you're navigating a career change or wanting to work differently, we're here to walk that road with you. Not only do we advocate for working moms and flexibility, but we've built a trusted brand that employers know. Register with us today.
