Navigating Remote Working as A Woman in the 21st Century: Super-Mom or Super-Employee?

Abstract

Banks across South Africa and the world at large have introduced various policies to address how employees strike a balance between remote work and caring/providing for their families. These policies also aim to increase employee retention, engagement and commitment, to name a few. However, remote work is both a blessing and a curse for women, particularly when working in a male-dominated environment such as the banking sector. Recent research in this area has focused on the increased responsibility placed on women during the COVID-19 pandemic, where women were required to work “flexibly” while working remotely to meet work deadlines and still provide care for their families. This research suggests that work-life balance is a myth for women, while their male counterparts are only required to focus on work. Even from a personal perspective, a poor work-life balance is linked to mental health disorders and low quality of life. This study explores the subjective demands of the work and home domain that are placed on women employed in managerial positions in the South African banking sector and the consequences thereof. A qualitative approach will be employed in this study.