Flexible working could help remove some of the barriers faced by people who have difficulty accommodating a traditional working day at a central office
Research by International Workplace Group (IWG) suggests flexible and hybrid working can help companies retain part-time employees, encourage them to work more hours and keep older workers in employment for longer.
The findings come as part-time employment is growing in South Africa. Statistics South Africa figures show 50,000 part-time jobs were added during the third quarter of 2025, taking the total from 1.094 million in June to 1.144 million in September, IWG states.
Nearly half of older workers surveyed by IWG said part-time work had allowed them to delay retirement, while the group said flexible working could also help attract retired people back into the workplace.
Almost two-thirds, or 63%, of part-time employees surveyed by IWG said they would consider increasing their hours if they were able to work more flexibly.
