The rise of flexible working has transformed the workforce in Ireland—especially for women. With the adoption of remote and hybrid work models, female participation in the workforce has reached record highs, offering new opportunities for career progression, work-life balance, and economic empowerment.
This year’s International Women’s Day carries the theme #AccelerateAction, emphasising the urgency of taking decisive steps toward gender equality. At Grow Remote, we believe remote employment is a game-changer in achieving this goal.
Women in the Workforce: A Record-High Participation Rate
According to the latest CSO Labour Force Survey, female employment increased by 11,000 in Q3 2024, bringing the total number of employed women in Ireland to 1,317,000—the highest recorded female participation rate at 61.8% since data collection began.
The CSO Women and Men in Ireland Hub further highlights the shift:
- The number of women working from home rose by 306% between 2016 and 2022.
- In contrast, the number of men working from home increased by 114% during the same period.
- A 657% surge in female remote work participation signals that flexible work is a crucial driver of employment, particularly for women.
Female participation in the workforce has grown concurrently alongside the increased availability of flexible working arrangements, including the widespread adoption of remote and hybrid work models in the last 5 years.
The data shows that companies offering flexibility see tangible benefits. CIPD reported a 25% increase in retention rates and improved employee satisfaction where flexible work is adopted. In 2024, 62% of employers made hybrid work a key strategy for talent attraction, according to the IBEC HR Report 2024.
This trend shows no sign of stopping. A recent Hays Ireland report Salary Guide 2025 stated that “62% of employers are offering hybrid working to staff and 40% offer home or remote working. 74% of employers expect their organisation’s hybrid working offering to stay the same over the next 12 months”.
Care Responsibilities: The Gender Divide in the Workplace
In this context, flexibility is essential for employees – especially given that women continue to shoulder the majority of caregiving responsibilities. Laura Ryan, Director of International Human Resources at Dropbox, has highlighted that remote work allows women to better balance career and home life:
“Without the stress of a hectic commute or the pressure to be physically present in the office, it’s now easier to find a better work-life balance. While these benefits apply to everyone, data suggests they are particularly valued by women.”
This is backed up by recent research published in February 2025 by Accenture and the 30% Club Ireland, which underscores the disparity in career impact based on sex:
- 40% of women say being a parent has negatively affected their career progression, compared to 24% of men.
- A survey of 1,300 employees across 150 employers found that companies with care-supportive policies benefit from higher retention, increased productivity, and reduced absenteeism.
- The 2025 “Care Economics” Report highlights the financial and workforce advantages of integrating childcare, eldercare, and self-care into corporate policies.
Furthermore, the recent Indeed Jobs & Hiring Trends Report found:
- 70% of workers believe flexible working should be a legal right for parents and carers.
- 81% think the government should incentivise employers to offer more flexible working options.
- 57% of employers reported higher productivity after introducing hybrid and care-friendly policies.
As Gillian Harford, Country Executive at 30% Club Ireland, told RTÉ:
“The data is clear: organisations that support their employees’ care responsibilities experience better retention, stronger engagement, and improved workforce productivity.”
Why Women Prefer Remote and Hybrid Work
The benefits of flexible work extend beyond just work-life balance. According to the 2025 International Workplace Group (IWG) Trends Report, women overwhelmingly report that some element of remote work has transformed their professional and personal lives:
- 2 in 3 women say hybrid working has created more career opportunities.
- 66% believe hybrid work reduces workplace biases (gender, race, or otherwise)
- 83% say hybrid work allows them to prioritise their physical and mental health.
- 82% feel hybrid work helps them prioritise their family and children.
Time to Accelerate Action for Gender Equality
To truly break down systemic barriers and biases that impede women’s equality, businesses must take action. Implementing remote and hybrid work policies is a proven strategy to support female employees, drive retention, and increase productivity.
This International Women’s Day, Grow Remote challenges employers to ask themselves:
- Do we want higher retention, increased productivity, and reduced absenteeism?
- Are we doing enough to support talent who are parents and caregivers?
If the answer is yes, remote and flexible work is part of the solution.
We’re here to help. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how your organisation can implement remote and hybrid work strategies that benefit your business.
