Flexible working is non-negotiable for gender equality.

For many women, the workday isn't just a 9-to-5 shift. Most work a full day, some entirely unpaid, and then turn to household and childcare duties from 5 to 9. This relentless cycle starts at sunrise – fixing breakfast and getting children ready for the day – and continues into the evening with dinner, homework, baths, and bedtime.

UN Women Time Use Surveys show women do three times more unpaid care and domestic work than men, averaging 4.2 hours daily compared to men's 1.7 hours. This unfair load, and the constant need to flex around rigid systems is one of the biggest drivers of inequality at work. It’s also one of the easiest to fix.

When a child is sick or school closes unexpectedly, it’s often women who pay the price, rescheduling meetings, using unpaid leave, or stepping back from work entirely. In the United States, women are 10 times more likely than men to take time off work to care for sick children.

Flexibility at work could change everything. Over half of women (52 per cent) surveyed by Team Lewis said flexible work would make it easier for them to stay in the economy. The report also found that 45 per cent of women reconsidering their jobs in 2025 blamed a lack of flexibility, and 40 per cent cited poor work-life balance.

A shift in work culture isn’t just good for women, it could be a gamechanger for the economy. According to Flexonomics, a report by Pragmatix Advisory, unlocking flexible working could add £55.7 billion to the UK economy. The gains would come from retaining talent, boosting productivity, and tapping into the full potential of women, who are being held back by outdated ways of working.