Exploring the benefits and challenges of flexible work policies on women’s job satisfaction

Flexible work policies (FWPs) have emerged as transformative tools in modern organizational practices, offering employees increased autonomy and adaptability. While these policies prove to be significantly beneficial for women by addressing work-life balance challenges, they also present complex dynamics that may hinder their effectiveness. This paper examines the interconnection of benefits and challenges related to FWPs and their total impact on women’s job satisfaction. By the analysis of secondary data, we explore the impacts of FWPs on the retention, productivity, mental wellbeing and career development of women but also, with some barriers to such impacts for e.g., proximity bias, blending the lines and gendered expectations. The conclusions thus highlight strategic implementation as necessary in optimizing the tool of FWPs for advancing gender equity.