The Flexibility Paradox
Heejung Chung
Abstract
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible working has become the norm for many workers. However, does flexible working really provide a better work-life balance, enhance worker’s well-being and gender equality? This volume offers an original examination of flexible working using data from 30 European countries and drawing on studies conducted across the world including China, the US and India. The book reveals how flexible working can lead to workers working longer and harder, with work encroaching on family life. This is largely due to our current work and work-life balance culture, where long hours work in the office is hailed as the ideal productive worker, compounded by the decline in workers’ bargaining power and increased levels of insecurities. Similarly, norms around gender roles and intensive parenting cultures shape how the patterns of exploitation manifests differently for women and men. Women end up exploiting themselves at home by increasing time spent on childcare and housework, reenforcing traditional gender roles. This, and assumptions around women’s flexible working can explain why women and mothers may especially be party to negative career consequences when working flexibly. However, all is not lost. The book shows changes in cultural and institutional contexts, and the wide-spread of flexible working can help change the patterns of flexibility paradox. Taking a critical stance, this book investigates the potential risks and benefits of flexible working and provides crucial policy recommendations for policy makers, managers, and workers alike in overcoming the negative consequences.