Men face greater promotion challenges in FWAs

Men who adopt flexible work arrangements (FWAs) are more likely than women to feel overlooked for promotions, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by SG Her Empowerment (SHE) in collaboration with Milieu Insight, found that 36% of men on flexible work schedules experienced this issue, compared to 27% of women.

Employers are also grappling with the challenges of implementing FWAs equitably. Over a third of business leaders (31%) cited unfair allocation of development and advancement opportunities as a negative impact.

Parental leave also presents challenges, as about 20% of men reported receiving backlash from supervisors or senior management for taking parental leave, in contrast to about 10% of women. These findings were derived from a poll of 1,200 Singapore resident employees, including 510 business leaders, conducted in May and June 2024.

“Having FWAs does not automatically equate to take-up rates because of deeply ingrained gender mindsets that impact norms, behaviours and choices at work,” SHE noted in the study, adding that women using these policies may be seen as less committed or ambitious, while men seeking flexibility may face stigma for stepping away from traditional breadwinner roles.

READ MORE: Flexible work crucial for working parents in Singapore to thrive

Traditional gender roles and stereotypes continue to influence perceptions of work-life balance. The study revealed that 35% of respondents believe fathers should be the primary breadwinners, while 27% expect mothers to prioritise family over career when necessary.

To address these issues, stakeholders have called for a cultural shift. Yeo Wan Ling, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), advocates for outcome-based performance appraisals and more frequent check-ins to mitigate the potential biases against employees working remotely.

The study also found that nearly one in five employees currently on flexible work schedules would consider quitting or seeking more flexible employment if their employers stopped offering such options, reported The Straits Times.