The COVID-19 pandemic has brought in focus hybrid working models that offer flexible working options, especially for women. Hybrid working models provide women more autonomy in how they use their time than in-person working models. While hybrid work has several perceived advantages such as better work-life balance, reduction in costs, and higher productivity, the effects of hybrid work are often found to be gendered.

With India’s current focus on creating “a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy” with the Digital India Programme and the ongoing efforts to expand enterprise development to peri-urban and rural areas, hybrid work models have the potential to expand employment opportunities for women beyond purely in-person working models.

This rapid assessment by IWWAGE and LEAD at Krea University with the support of Zoom Video Communications examines how female working professionals adapted to the hybrid working model during and after the pandemic and explores the perceived benefits and challenges of hybrid work for this segment.