Women Face Setbacks in Return to Office Era

It’s been five years since remote work became the new normal, but the office comeback isn’t looking the same for everyone. New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that ground gained by women in workplace flexibility may be coming with a hidden cost. 

The return to the office gender gap is widening again, with men far more likely to be back at their desks while women continue working from home. And, while that flexibility might be helpful in managing the homefront, it’s also creating a new kind of career imbalance.

According to the 2025 report, 36% of employed women worked from home on an average day last year. That’s compared to just 29% of men. 

While both figures have dipped since the pandemic's peak, the gender split remains consistent and concerning. With more companies dialing back hybrid policies and putting weight behind office attendance, some experts are worried that women, especially mothers, could end up sidelined in the long term.

Gender Gap Widens as Office Returns Resume

The reasons behind these women's remote work statistics are layered. For one, many women are still the primary caregivers at home, handling school runs, sick days, and the general logistics of family life. Remote work offers some relief, cutting commute times and making it easier to juggle those daily demands.

There's also the simple reality that flexibility is finally on offer. For decades, mothers were often forced to choose between staying in the workforce or staying home with their children. 

Now, women are able to do both and the shift has brought more women into the labor force, overall. But, it hasn't come without its trade-offs, especially in how visibility affects career growth.

Remote Work’s Hidden Cost for Women’s Careers

While remote work has opened new doors, it’s also made certain things harder to access, like mentorship, informal conversations, and opportunities to take on stretch assignments. 

These are the career moments that often happen in hallways, not Zoom calls. And, the further someone is away from the room where decisions happen, the easier it is to be overlooked.

Studies suggest that people who work remotely receive less feedback and ask fewer questions in collaborative settings than their in-office peers. 

That may lead to fewer promotions and slower career progressions. And the shift toward rewarding in-person workers, already underway at major firms like Amazon and Google, is only adding to the pressure.

Remote work’s impact on women isn’t about performance or ambition, but proximity. The more visible you are, the more likely you are to be remembered when it counts.

Men Are Going Back And Reaping the Rewards

While many women remain remote by necessity or preference, men are leading the charge back to office towers and open floorplans. Data shows that the percentage of men working from home continues to fall year over year, widening the remote work gender divide. 

This may give male employees an unspoken leg up, especially as companies begin linking office presence to promotions, raises, and key assignments.

The office return leaving women behind isn’t just a statistic. It’s playing out in real time across multiple industries. And, while men also value flexibility and time with family, their increased presence in physical offices may be setting a new norm that puts remote workers (often women) on the back foot.

Balancing Flexibility With Opportunity

This doesn’t mean women should abandon remote work entirely just because the men returning to the office data is revealing incongruities. For some, especially experienced professionals, working from home can mean fewer distractions and more time to focus on critical projects. 

But, for younger or mid-career women trying to advance into leadership roles, remote setups may unintentionally limit their access to mentorship and networking.

The best outcomes may come from hybrid arrangements that offer both visibility and flexibility. People benefit when they can attend key meetings in person and still log in from home when life demands it. Companies benefit, too, by retaining talented workers who might otherwise be forced to choose between their families and their careers.

What the Future Could Hold

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but awareness is the first step. As the labor market cools and corporate policies tighten, employers should try to avoid creating two separate career tracks based on who’s in the office and who’s not. 

At the same time, women navigating remote roles should be encouraged to seek feedback, mentorship, and recognition, even if it means logging a few more in-person hours.

The return to the office gender gap is shaping the future of the workforce quietly but powerfully. As the world settles into new routines, the goal should be equity, not just efficiency. 

Remote work has opened the door to greater inclusion. And, with care and intention, we can keep that door open without letting ambition slip quietly out the back.