If someone is pressured or told constantly that a flexible work environment will be best for everyone, even if it is not best for them, they may feel the need to adjust to that way of living. Upon agreeing to it, they will have to alter their life and allow work to integrate into their home life, which may be harmful to them. The flexibility and blurred lines of when to complete work and when to dedicate time to home life can become overwhelming. 

Syracuse University

In a flexible workplace design, workers’ needs both inside and outside the workplace are prioritized. It is understood that everyone’s lives are different and people need different set ups regarding their ideal work-life breakdown. This approach aims to have people be more engaged in their work, as well as lower their work/life conflicts and stresses.


Characteristics of flexible workplace designs

Peters, P., Jan Blomme, R. (2019). Forget about ‘the ideal worker’: A theoretical contribution to the debate on flexible workplace designs, work/life conflict, and opportunities for gender equality. Business Horizons.


Forget about ‘the ideal worker’: A theoretical contribution to the debate on flexible workplace designs, work/life conflict, and opportunities for gender equality. 

The flexible workplace design, as attractive as it can sound, does not consider much about gender roles. With these designs, work meetings and independent responsibilities can be brought home and cut into the home life. Extending the work day to possibly cut into home-life can interfere with mother’s roles that they typically play at home. As time progresses, there may continue to be a shift in the role that father’s play at home, but presently, the flexible work environment does not benefit women very much.


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