Flexible working improves profits, women's rights, and the population crisis - so why don't we do it? 

As a young woman, I knew I wanted to have children. Having moved here for education, without my family nearby, I wanted to make my own family. This led me to have children in my twenties, a decision that was directly the opposite of almost ALL my girlfriends who were focused on building their careers.

This choice came with significant challenges. Balancing work with raising small children was incredibly demanding. Financial constraints made it impossible to afford a house. Eventually, I found myself as a single parent, in just my early 30s facing the prospect of educating, feeding, housing 3 children under the age of 7, by myself. 

The first, the very first thing I had to do was drop out of my job as a lawyer. Why? There was no way I could keep my job and be flexible enough to manage all my responsibilities as a mother. 

Now, the reality is that it is women who carry the majority of caregiving responsibilities - to children and to elderly parents. As a result, flexible working options have evolved from being merely desirable to absolutely essential. They are crucial for enabling women to sustain their careers and are instrumental in staying in work long enough to achieve higher positions in leadership and executive roles. 

Not only that, but research indicates that 40% of women who are currently not in the workforce believe that access to flexible work options could facilitate their return to paid employment. 

Moreover, a significant 77% indicated they would be more likely to apply for job opportunities that advertise flexible working conditions.

However, the current workplace structure often forces women to choose between their career and having children. This impossible situation leads many women to leave their jobs, not because they don't need the income, but because they feel overwhelmed and concerned about the impact on their children.

This dilemma was a key motivator in establishing WCorp. The prevailing mindset that pits work against family has contributed to some of the lowest birth rates globally. 

We're witnessing significant population decline in numerous countries, including Japan and South Korea, with far-reaching consequences. According to The Economist, '2064 will be the first year in centuries when fewer babies are born than people die.' Or, in other words, an economic ticking time bomb. 

We need to reimagine a world where women can have children earlier in life and grow their careers alongside their families. This approach would allow women to pursue their professional ambitions while also building the families they desire, without having to sacrifice one for the other.

The choice between a fulfilling career and a family is one that I see looming for both my children and yours. At WCorp, we're committed to changing this. Share this post to join the movement.