A study conducted by the International Workplace Group (IWG) shows that flexible and hybrid employment models can help retain part-time employees, encourage them to increase their working hours, and extend the working lives of older workers.
These findings come amid a rise in part-time employment in South Africa. According to Statistics South Africa, 50,000 part-time jobs were added in the third quarter of 2025, bringing the total from 1.094 million in June to 1.144 million in September, as reported by IWG.
Nearly half of the older workers surveyed by IWG noted that part-time work allowed them to delay retirement, and the group believes that flexible schedules can also attract retired individuals back into the workforce.
Furthermore, almost two-thirds, or 63%, of the part-time employees participating in the IWG survey stated they would consider increasing their working hours if given greater flexibility in their work.
Reluctance to commute to work
Conversely, four out of five respondents stated they would completely leave the workforce if they had to commute daily to a city center office. Additionally, 49% considered resigning if denied a flexible work schedule. The study also indicated that commuting costs are part of the problem: 44% of existing part-time workers reported that rising travel expenses make it financially unviable to continue working.
Mark Dixon, founder and CEO of IWG, noted that high commuting costs combined with limited flexibility create difficulties for part-time workers. He stated: 'By offering greater flexibility in how and where work is done, companies can not only retain these valuable team members but also attract talented people back into the workforce.'
Retaining part-time employees can also have a measurable impact on productivity. A study by IESE Business School in Barcelona, cited by IWG, showed that a 10 percentage point increase in the share of part-time employees led to an average productivity increase of 2%, with this growth reaching 3.3% in professional, scientific, and technical sectors.
Reduced stress levels
IWG asserts that employees who have more control over their schedules and work-life balance tend to experience less stress, be more engaged, creative, and effective. Their hybrid work study found that three-quarters of employees working in this manner felt more productive, while a similar proportion reported higher motivation.
Flexible schedules also allow companies to access a wider pool of potential employees. IWG emphasized that part-time employment policies can make employment more accessible to people from different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as those with caregiving responsibilities, health issues, or disabilities who may struggle to adapt to traditional nine-to-five office work.
As an example, IWG cited the French company Convers Télémarketing, which implemented flexible part-time work specifically to attract and retain women aged 25 to 40 who have children. IWG reported that this move increased gender diversity, reduced turnover to 7%, and increased revenue by 30%.
Dixon concluded that flexible scheduling can help remove barriers faced by people who find it difficult to adapt to a traditional office workday. He added: 'The best business leaders understand that more flexible ways of working remain a key factor in creating a fairer and more diverse workforce.'